News 2003-04

At last nights end of season Presentation evening Tresor Kandol was voted Players Player of the year and John Purdie was given the Clubman of the year award.

Paul Gothard received the supporters player of the year, which was presented to him at the last game of the season.

Yesterday's Bryco Cup final was called off at 2.45pm due to a waterlogged pitch, we will inform you when the game is to be replayed

We won our first trophy in 10 years last night at Roots Hall, defeating Aveley 3-1 in a close encounter. Please see the match report and the photo's on the Features page

Our second leg of the Bryco Cup Semi Final against Cheshunt will be played on the 15th of April (Thursday night 7.30pm kick off)

Next Tuesday, the 23rd of March we will be playing Cheshunt away in the Bryco cup semi final first leg with a 7.45 kick off

The Canvey Game, originally scheduled for Saturday the 10th of April has been moved to Good Friday the 9th of April with a 1.00pm kick off.

The game against Grays on Tuesday the 16th of March will be only £1 to get in, as you may remember the original tie was postponed at half time as we suffered a floodlight failure.

Please take this opportunity to come and watch two of the best teams in the Ryman league for only £1 - and bring all of your friends!

The Essex Senior Cup Final will be played on the Monday the 5th of April at Roots Hall when our opponents will be local rivals Aveley.

The match reports have started again with effect from yesterdays game. The match reports can be accessed from the fixture list.

Mark Goodfellow fractured his ankle in a recent Capital League fixture and is expected to be out for 5 to 6 weeks. Paul Linger, from his red card at Hayes and Lee Allen will miss the trip to Maidenhead on Saturday through suspension.

Saturday night saw a large number of people brave the weather and the gridlock to attend the Thurrock Race Night.
Our thanks go to those who came and contributed to the Racing and Dancing. With special thanks to the enthusiasm from the Mums and Dads of the Under 9's and Under 14's. All money raised on the evening is being spent on the Make over in the Clubhouse.

Thurrock FC have been drawn away to Southend United or Wivenhoe Town, a date for the game has yet to be confirmed as Southend and Wivenhoe don't play their Quarter Final until the 3rd of February.

Please check the updated fixtures page, with all but our away game with Hornchurch left to arrange. After Harlow (tonight) we then have 5 home games in a row.

Colin McBride has completed the signing of Simon Martin from St Albans. Simon is a 25 year old centre forward who scored 25 goals last season for the Saints after they paid a four figure fee for him. This season Simon has been on loan at Cambridge City and want to see out his loan spell before joining us.

We have won the Endsleigh Sport Insurance Services Safe Hands award after conceding only one goal in our three league games and only 3 goals all competitions. Well done to the team, especially to Paul Gothard, David Collis, Mark Goodfellow, John Purdie, Jimmy McFarlane and Craig Davidson.

Today's game against Harlow in the Essex Senior Cup has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch - the game will now be played next Wednesday, the 21st of January.

The draw for the fourth round of the Bryco Cup has been made, and we have been drawn at home to Bedford, the full draw is below

Bracknell Town	v	Worthing
Chesham United	v	Ashford Town (Middlesex)
Dunstable Town	v	Grays Athletic
Hampton & Richmond Boro	v	Wingate & Finchley
Heybridge Swifts	v	Cheshunt
Hornchurch	v	Harlow Town
Marlow	v	Northwood
Thurrock	v	Bedford Town

Cliff Akurang will start treatment today for the injuries suffered in the Wealdstone game were he got a nasty cut in the mouth and damaged his ankle ligaments, it is unknown at the moment how long he will be out for.
Jimmy McFarlane, who has missed the last two games, is having treatment for a hamstring injury but shouldn't be very far away.

Martyn Lawrence is still having treatment on his injured ankle and looks to be off for another month or so.

The Essex Senior cup fixture against Harlow has been moved to Monday the 12/1/04

Thanks to everyone who bought tickets for the Christmas Raffle, the winners were

All the committee at Thurrock Football Club would like the apologise for the floodlight failure that occurred on the 27/12/03. Unfortunately we could not make an announcement at the game as we could not return the power to the stand area.

An announcement will be made regarding the rearranged fixture when the game is rearranged

After our 2-1 victory over Heybridge on Monday night we have been drawn away to Harlow Town in the 5th round. Below is the full draw

The Essex senior cup tie against Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday was called off after 20 minutes due to fog. The game has been rearranged for next Monday the 15/12/03

Thurrock FC would like to thank all the supporters that made the journey to Luton Town yesterday, it was an excellent turn out and you made more noise than the Luton fans!!

Loan signing David Lee has returned to Brighton and Ross Wareham has also left the club.

We have been drawn at home to Heybridge Swifts in the forth round of the Essex Senior Cup.

Thurrock FC will be supplying a free coach to Luton Town on Tuesday night. Tickets will be available from tomorrow evening from the Hotel reception with a £5 deposit, this will be refunded on the coach on production of the ticket.

The local derby between Thurrock and Grays will now kick off at 3 o/c on Saturday the 27th of December, this will allow you all to visit your mother in law on boxing day.

Thurrock have been drawn away to Carshalton Athletic in the second round of the FA Trophy. Carshalton are currently second in the Ryman League after their promotion last season. We lost to them in August after Paul Gothard was harshly sent off for hand ball - which was later rescinded. The game will be played on the 29th November

Jeran Meah has parted company with the club. Jeran made his debut at Kingstonian at the beginning of the season and started 10 games scoring one goal.

After making it in to the first around of the FA Cup for the first time in our history, we have been drawn at home to Luton Town. Luton are currently 12th in Division 2.

The game will take place on the 7th of November, live on SKY sports with a 7.45pm kick off. Admission prices will be £15 for adults and £5 concessions.

Please remember that admission prices are agreed between BOTH clubs and that the gate in shared.

We have singed David Lee on loan from Brighton. David Plays in midfield and has played for Southend, Hull and Bristol Rovers

We have managed to arrange a game against the West Ham side of '86 on the 16th of November, this includes players like Cottee, Gale and McAvennie and even Alan Dickens who was also lucky enough to play for Purfleet!

We have a restricted amount of VIP pass available at £50 each which includes

Pre - match Tea & Coffee with the players
A seat in the Grandstand
A matchday programme
Admission to the players lounge after the game
Post - match buffet and drinks
and of course the chance to meet the players!

Please call Tommy South on 07961 115436 or Tony Joy on 07860 724819 for more details

Tickets will be available on the match day priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, a very special family ticket will be available for £20 (2 Adults & 2 Children).

Reserve team goalkeeper, Chris Harvey as left the club by mutual consent, joining the club for work experience is 19 year old centre forward Ross Wareham from Leyton Orient

We have been drawn away to Bromley the full draw can be found on the Non-league paper web site www.nonleaguedaily.co.uk

We have signed Jason Broom. The 33 year old midfield has played for a number of Essex sides including Dagenham, Billericay and Grays

We have been drawn away to Ware or Buckingham Town the full draw can be found on the Non-league paper web site www.nonleaguedaily.co.uk

Jeran is attacking midfielder who has scored quite a few goals for his previous clubs, Borehamwood and Hitchin, he is 22 years old and is predominantly left footed

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund, supporters of the Football Foundation, and the largest funder of non league football in the country, today announced a grant of £55,530 to Thurrock FC.

This award will enable the Isthmian League club to undertake a improvement project at their Ship Lane ground in Purfleet, including building an extension to the main stand and providing addition spectator fencing. The cash boost will also allow the club to provide new floodlights

Over £45m has already been invested by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund since its launch in July 2000, funding lower league ground improvements throughout professional and amateur game, creating a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.

Peter Lee, Chief Executive of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Football Foundation, welcomed this latest funding initiative:

“On behalf of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund I am delighted to be able to award this grant to Thurrock.

A vibrant community team is vital for the future of football. The Football Stadia Improvement Fund’s aim is to revolutionise funding for the grass roots in the same way the professional game has been transformed over the last 10 years. It is vital for the survival of clubs outside the professional game that this investment continues. I pay a particular tribute to the hard work and dedication all at the club for making this funding a reality.”

Colin McBride has clinched the signing of Mike Basham. Mike is a 29 year old centre half who has seen service with West Ham (trainee), Colchester Utd, Swansea, Peterborough Utd, Barnet, York and Chelmsford City on loan last season.

Colin McBride last night clinched the signing of Steve Heffer from Dagenham and Redbridge. Heffer, who plays in centre midfield, has previously played for West Ham, Southend, Swindon as well as Grays, Hendon and Boreham Wood in the Ryman League.

Meanwhile, crowd favourite Steve Pashley has left us to join Dartford. Steve was never a regular last season but can always be relied to give his all. We all wish him the best for the future.

A decision has been made by the Directors and Committee of Purfleet Football Club with immediate effect to change the name of the Club to Thurrock Football Club.

The club is situated a few miles away from the town of Purfleet but in the Borough of Thurrock.

The main reasons for the name change are, the club’s ground is the Thurrock Hotel., and the club’s main sponsor is Lakeside Shopping Centre, which is synonymous with the name “Thurrock”.

The club also hopes that by a change of name it will attract more supporters and also lead to wider sponsorship.

The club is proud to have had the name Purfleet for the last eighteen years and proud of what it has achieved under this name. It now looks forward to further achievements under its new name.

Colin has completed the signings of Paul Gothard, the former Non-league England goalkeeper from Dagenham and David Collis from Ford Utd

Paul won his first England cap against Ireland in Dublin in 1997 and was also voted man of the match against Woking in the 1996/97 FA Trophy Final.
He also entered the the Guinness book of records when he kept 12 clean sheets in a row in the 1998/99 season (the ran ended with a 3-0 defeat against Purfleet)

Dave Collis is a full back with a ferocious shot, good on the over lap and an eye for goal. David's former clubs include Grays and Charlton.

At tonight's club presentation night Marc Goodfellow won the Players player of the year after an outstanding season and Martyn Lawrence won the Club man of the year.

We have arranged pre-season friendlies against West Ham XI, Gravesend, Margate and East Thurrock at home and Whitehawk, Ringmer and Great Wakering away.

The directors of Purfleet Football Club have today confirmed that there has been no negations on a merger with Grays Football Club or any football club. The rumours currently circulating are totally unfounded and untrue.

We trust this will put an end to the rumours which are disturbing to both clubs.

Season Tickets

The new season tickets will be going on sale shortly the new prices, effective the 1st of August are

Please print off the attached form, fill it in and forward to the Club for the attention of Alan Reynolds before the 1/8/03 to take advantage of the lower prices.