Wednesday, 18 May 2005
Hornchurch FC RIP
While my West Ham mates dust off their Cardiff road maps, a little word about their other team Hornchurch FC. On Monday of this week Hornchurch FC became no more. They have ceased trading and subsequently the Company was placed into Liquidation. However they will be born again as Hornchurch Football Club (2005) - the team will be called AFC Hornchurch.
Before the end of the season the Urchins finally took the 10 point hit to enter administration which they had been staving off all season but it was another nail in the coffin after they chased the dream. Earlier in the season they were sprinting away with the Conference South league whilst paying big money (by league standards let alone Conference South) to amongst others Darren Caskey, Jamie Stuart, Adam Locke, Paul McCarthy and Wayne Purser, all too good for this level. Manager Garry Hill was rumoured to be on a locked in 2-year contract worth £200,000.
I actually saw them play this season, on one of my trips home, and it was just after their backers Coldseal Windows, or more specifically Karl Williams pulled the plug and announced he was bankrupt. Interestingly at that point, Garry Hill was still there, and in the bar up until 10 minutes after kick-off. He didn't care because he was paid his 200 grand up front! Alright if you can get it! He has long since gone, no doubt happy in the knowledge that he is not a creditor.
The new club has received the consent of the FA and the Essex FA to play football within the pyramid as AFC Hornchurch. The Club will be advised as to what League it will be placed in after Thursday 19 May by the FA. (more)
AFC (why are all new teams called AFC?) Hornchurch have applied for a place in Ryman Division One, which is two down from their current status but the decision is fully in the hands of the FA, and they may end up as low as the Essex Intermedate league, which is three further levels down from the Ryman Div 1.
Sad days for Urchin fans but watch my mates apply for their Hammers season tickets again if they win on bank holiday Monday! ¶ 19:18
Before the end of the season the Urchins finally took the 10 point hit to enter administration which they had been staving off all season but it was another nail in the coffin after they chased the dream. Earlier in the season they were sprinting away with the Conference South league whilst paying big money (by league standards let alone Conference South) to amongst others Darren Caskey, Jamie Stuart, Adam Locke, Paul McCarthy and Wayne Purser, all too good for this level. Manager Garry Hill was rumoured to be on a locked in 2-year contract worth £200,000.
I actually saw them play this season, on one of my trips home, and it was just after their backers Coldseal Windows, or more specifically Karl Williams pulled the plug and announced he was bankrupt. Interestingly at that point, Garry Hill was still there, and in the bar up until 10 minutes after kick-off. He didn't care because he was paid his 200 grand up front! Alright if you can get it! He has long since gone, no doubt happy in the knowledge that he is not a creditor.
The new club has received the consent of the FA and the Essex FA to play football within the pyramid as AFC Hornchurch. The Club will be advised as to what League it will be placed in after Thursday 19 May by the FA. (more)
AFC (why are all new teams called AFC?) Hornchurch have applied for a place in Ryman Division One, which is two down from their current status but the decision is fully in the hands of the FA, and they may end up as low as the Essex Intermedate league, which is three further levels down from the Ryman Div 1.
Sad days for Urchin fans but watch my mates apply for their Hammers season tickets again if they win on bank holiday Monday! ¶ 19:18
