Programme Review | Harwich + Parkeston | March 2024 |

As you no doubt may have seen, I travelled to Harwich & Parkeston V Needham Market U23s back in March, and planned then to do a review of the matchday programme. 

Unfortunately due to a busy football schedule, I didn't get time to do it until now, which will hopefully be the first of a series of programme reviews - posted weekly ideally at the same day of the week at the same time.

There's only one place to start, and that's with the front cover, which is a nice view of the ground from the boardroom, which is above the changing rooms. It's a nice ground that I enjoyed visiting both times I went last year (the first was abandoned), with this one the second of the two. 

I also like the addition of the club badge in pride of place in the centre, with the text all in white with the club name catching the eye in big bold text, overall I really like what they've done with the front cover of the programme. 

Then on the inside, the first page displays all the names and roles of the club staff and officials, with the following two pages featuring the Chairman's notes. That's a feature that I think is rather underestimated in the importance of connecting fans to the club, which is one thing that's not really an issue at non-league fortunately, and should be the beating heart of the game. 

Onto the next two pages (I haven't included the adverts, however there's some good local businesses advertised), where we find one of my favourite features of the programme. This one looks back at the club's history, notably their two FA Amateur Cup runs to the final, an intriguing piece that enables you to gain an insight into the club's past - which helps shape the club you see today. I quite like reading bits of history, especially when it's football related, and this is a great example of it.

Next, you've got a recent match report, followed by the club's fixtures and results list, with goalscorers' names included, spread evenly across the following 2 pages. Unfortunately I don't get to attend many step 6 matches, especially many different grounds, but when I have went to one not many include a match report in the programme, so full credit to Harwich. Plus, growing up, I always used to enjoy reading the club reports on the last game, whether I went to it or not, a nice reminder, or insight, into the previous game - which I think played a part in me eventually becoming a media manager/press officer and writing match reports myself! Also, I do like the inclusion of the goalscorers' names, a nice touch. 

Following on, the next page then features the team's goalscorers charts for the season, organised by competition, followed by an overall total, another nice feature - again the type of statistic I loved to read growing up. 

Up next is a latest news within the club feature, promoting a local non-league book they had been published in, along with the club's upcoming fixtures listed underneath, followed by a piece on the former club legends in attendance at that game.

Overall, I really like this programme, with plenty of variety of good content throughout it, with the next pages featuring a very insightful advert into why a local business sponsors the club, and the club's appearance makers during the season. 

Up next, we have the players sponsorship page, which it's nice to see plenty of players and businesses mentioned, which is great for the club, the players, the businesses and also the local community. 

As the front cover shows, this programme covered two games within a week, and so features the squad lists for both fixtures, including the match officials - which some often use to mark down the players numbers' that feature in the game, but is also a nice thing to look back at in the future, as with the programme itself, and see how squads may have changed for either (or both) team(s). 

Finally, we end on a the back cover with features the league table, at the time of going to print. 

As I said before, this is up there with one of the best programmes I've read for a step 6 team, if not the best, which hopefully I get the chance to go back there next season and visit again. 

Euro 2024 Rest of Group Stage predictions

Following on from my Euros matchday 1 predictions, here's my thoughts on the next two rounds of fixtures. Again, just note this is just for a good laugh, and to enjoy the festival of football!

Matchday 2

Wednesday 19th June.

2pm: Croatia 2-0 V Albania.

It's been a good start to the tournament overall, with plenty of goals, and I can see Croatia continuing that theme with a routine 2-0 win.

5pm: Germany 3-0 Hungary.

After thrashing Scotland on matchday 1, I think Germany will make it back to back wins against Hungary - who will be hoping for a better performance than against Switzerland in their last game. 

8pm: Scotland 1-2 Switzerland.

This game could go either way, though I think Switzerland's previous tournament experience will see them beat Scotland to make it back to back wins. 

Thursday 20 June.

2pm: Slovenia 1-1 Serbia. 

An interesting game to start Thursday's matches, again another that could end up in any result, but I think it'll end in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

5pm: Denmark 0-2 England.

Without doubt England's toughest group game, and a repeat of the semi-final three years ago, though this time around I think it'll be a little bit more comfortable than that night with a 2-0 England win. 

8pm: Spain 3-2 Italy.

A massive game for both sides, both on 3 points with this game pretty much deciding who will finish top. Another game that you could predict anything, though I'm going for Spain to edge a five goal thriller. 

Friday 21 June.

Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine.

While Slovakia will be looking to back up their win over Belgium, in the first shock result of the tournament, I think Ukraine will respond from their defeat to Romania, picking up a very important 3 points. 

5pm: Poland 2-1 Austria. 

Both sides lost last time out to the Netherlands and France, both by a single goal, and will be targeting a massive win from this game. I'm going for Poland to have just enough to get on the board. 

8pm: Netherlands 3-4 France. 

Another game where 2 bigger teams clash on matchday 2, both have got plenty of fire power, so I'm expecting both teams to score a few goals with France running out the victors.

Saturday 22 June. 

2pm: Georgia 0-2 Czech Republic.

This one should be a competitive game, but I think Czech Republic will pick up a big 3 points. 

5pm: Turkey 0-3 Portugal.

This is the only group yet to get underway, as I type this (8:40am on Tuesday 18th), but I think the 2016 winners will pick up a fairly comfortable 3-0 win. 

8pm: Belgium 3-0 Romania.

Belgium should respond to their shock defeat last time out with a convincing victory against Romania, who will be buoyed by their 3-0 win over Ukraine and won't make it easy. 

Matchday 3

Sunday 23rd June.

8pm: Scotland 2-0 Hungary.

Scotland will be looking to finish the group stage in style, regardless of whether they can progress to the knockouts, and I think they'll get the ideal end to the group stage for them, as they'll be targeting a route through to the knockouts.

8pm: Switzerland 0-4 Germany. 

This could end up being a lot tighter game than I've gone for, but I think Germany will continue their free scoring form to end the group stage on top. 

Monday 24 June.

8pm: Croatia 1-3 Italy.

The holders from what I've predicted for matchday 2 will need a win to secure a place in the knockouts, and as good a team as Croatia are, I think they'll secure a top 2 spot.

8pm: Albania 0-4 Spain.

I think Spain will win every group game, in what is a very tough group. Albania did cause Italy a problem on matchday 1, but I think the 2008 and 2012 champions will end the group stage with maximum points. 

Tuesday 25 June. 

5pm: France 3-0 Poland.

Another strong group, with the 2022 World Cup champions no doubt aiming to add the Euros to their trophy cabinet, and I think they'll have too much for Poland, winning 3-0. 

5pm: Netherlands 3-0 Austria. 

Austria narrowly lost to France on matchday one, and could cause an upset against anyone, though I think the Netherlands will join France in the top 2. 

8pm: Denmark 2-0 Serbia.

Denmark will be looking to join England, based of my Predictions, in the knockouts, and while Serbia made it difficult for England in the second half of the first game, I think Denmark will pick up a routine victory. 

8pm: England 3-0 Slovenia.

It could end up being closer, but I'm hoping England begin to click into gear and finish the group in style. 

Wednesday 26 June.

5pm: Ukraine 0-3 Belgium.

Both sides will be looking to seal a spot in the knockouts, but I think Belgium will be wanting to prove a point from the first game and pick up a 3-0 win. 

5pm: Slovakia 1-1 Romania.

Two sides who got underway with a win each on matchday 1. I think this game will end in a tightly fought draw. 

8pm: Czech Republic 0-3 Turkey.

Could possibly go either way, but I think Turkey will wrap up 3 important points. 

8pm: Georgia 0-4 Portugal. 

Portugal in paper should progress as group winners, and while football isn't played on paper, I think they'll do just that. 

Euro 2024 Predictions: Matchday 1.

With the Euros underway on Friday (14th June), I decided to predict the scores for matchday 1 of the tournament, here's what I predicted - please note this is just a bit of fun, to not be taken seriously. 

Friday 8pm: Germany 3-0 Scotland.

Germany are the hosts for this tournament, and while Scotland - or any other team at the Euros -could spring an upset, I can see Germany starting the month of football off with a 3-0 win.

Saturday, 2pm: Hungary 1-1 Switzerland.

This game could easily go either way, I did favour a Switzerland win at first, but Hungary can frustrate their opponents, and can see that happening in this game. 

Saturday, 5pm: Spain 3-2 Croatia.

An interesting game for both of these sides to start the competition, given how well Croatia have done in the last two World Cups (2018, 2022), but I think Spain will have just enough to edge the game and start their tournament with 3 points. 

Saturday, 8pm: Italy 3-0 Albania.

Like a few other teams, Albania could spring a surprise, but I reckon the holders will get their defence off to the ideal start with a 3-0 win. 

Sunday, 2pm: Poland 1-4 Netherlands.

Again, Poland can frustrate teams, but I think Holland/Netherlands will be the first team to hit 4 goals in a game this tournament. 

Sunday, 5pm: Slovenia 1-3 Denmark. 

It would be great if Christian Eriksen got himself a goal to start his nation's campaign - given what happened at the last Euros. Denmark got to the semi-finals in 2021, and I can see them going on a run again this time. 

Sunday, 8pm: Serbia 1-3 England.

The runners up in 2021 will be hoping to go one further this time, which will be interesting to see if they can. Obviously as an Englishman it would be great if the Three Lions did win it, while rumours suggest this could be Gareth Southgate's last in charge. Whether they do go one further this time we'll have to see, but in this game I think they'll pick up a fairly comfortable 3-1 win. 

Monday, 2pm: Romania 0-2 Ukraine.

A game that could easily go either way in my opinion, though I've chosen a 2-0 win for Ukraine. Not much reason behind it, other than I think Ukraine should have enough on the day to pick up an important 3 points. 

Monday, 5pm: Belgium 4-0 Slovakia. 

Belgium will no doubt be disappointed with not reaching the final of the last 4 major tournaments, and may well still be targeting that same objective this time round. I think they'll start this tournament in fine fashion, with a 4-0 win.

Monday, 8pm: Austria 0-4 France. 

France will be looking to add a European Championships trophy to their 2018 World Cup triumph, and I think they'll get this Euros started with a big win over Austria - another team that could be a dark horse. 

Tuesday, 5pm: Turkey 3-1 Georgia. 

Once again, a game that could again go either way, but I've gone for Turkey to see off Georgia for a 3-1 win. 

Tuesday, 8pm: Portugal 4-1 Czech Republic.

Winners in 2016, Portugal will no doubt be hoping they can go and repeat the feat in Germany, whether they will - given there's a few nations that could go all the way - we'll soon find out, but again I can see them getting underway with a fairly routine win. 

My Ipswich Town Lifetime XI

Following Ipswich Town's promotion to the Premier League this season, I had the idea of picking my all time starting eleven of players that have played for the club during my lifetime.

Starting with the goalkeeper, Bartosz Bialkowski. A very popular player during his spell at the club, making 178 appearances from 2014 to 2019. Solid between the sticks, commanded his area well, and had a big presence - no doubt partly due to his monstrous height of six foot 4! I would argue that he's one of the best 'keepers to have played in the Championship.

Right-back I've gone for former club captain Luke Chambers. Chambers, who signed in 2012 before leaving in 2021, led Town to the playoffs in 2014/15, amassing 396 appearances, scoring 19 times for the Blues. I think the amount of appearances he made for the club say it all.

At centre-back, I've chosen Tommy Smith and Luke Woolfenden. Town have had plenty of superb centre-backs, but the two I've picked rarely put a foot wrong having played plenty of games for the club - and epitomise the club. Smith, who joined the club in 2006 (2007 as a senior player), made 267 appearances, netting 23 goals for Town up until 2018 - another player who was key in the club's run to the playoffs in 2014/15.

Luke Woolfenden meanwhile joined the club's Academy in 2009, progressing through to the First Team in 2017, and is the first of this team to still be at the club. The defender, who was born in Ipswich, has currently played 196 times for the club, scoring 5, but has been instrumental in Town's back-to-back promotions - playing 82 league games combined over those two seasons, scoring 3. 

Completing the back-line is Aaron Cresswell at left-back. Although the defender was only at Town from 2011 to 2014, he only missed six league matches during that time - being ever present in the league during 2012-13. The defender played 138 times for the Blues, scoring 7, before switching Portman Road for West Ham United's Upton Park and now the London Stadium, where he's been in, in the Premier League ever since. 

In the heart of the midfield, current captain Sam Morsy, and my captain of this XI, features alongside Cole Skuse. 

Morsy joined Town in 2021, replacing Skuse - who departed at the end of the previous season - has been at the heart of the club's back-to-back promotions, only missing 6 league matches in the last two seasons, totalling 131 appearances since signing for the club 3 summers ago, scoring 10 goals. Morsy, who has a multiple other promotions on his CV, has quickly made himself a fans favourite, since taking over the armband from Chambers.

Skuse joined Town in 2013, and played 40 of 46 league games as Town finished in the playoffs in 2014/15, was another solid figure in midfield for the club, making 278 appearances for the club, netting twice. 

Moving onto wingers, Carlos Edwards and Omari Hutchinson. Another former captain, Edwards was at the club between 2009 and 2014, making 191 appearances, scoring 10. Edwards was not only a pacy winger, but could also play at right-back. 

Next, is a sort of controversial pick in Hutchinson, given that he was on-loan at the club for the last campaign (2023-24), but played an important role in the club's landmark promotion back to the Premier League. The Chelsea loanee only missed 2 league games this season, scoring 10 in the Championship - overall playing 50 games and scoring 11. For a first full season in senior football, I'm not sure you get much better seasons than playing 44 of 46 games in a promotion winning season.

In the number 10 role, or central-attacking midfield position, I've opted for the 3rd current player of this team (Hutchinson has now returned to Chelsea, therefore technically not a current Town player) in Conor Chaplin. Like the other two current Town players in this team, Chaplin has been virtually ever present in the last two seasons for the club. Like Morsy, the midfielder also joined the club in 2021, and has only missed 3 league games in the last two seasons - scoring 39 league goals in those games. Overall meanwhile, Chaplin has played 146 times for the club, scoring 53 - an insane return for a midfielder. 

Completing this team, and rather completing the theme of most of this team consisting of either the 2014/15 playoff team or players from the last two seasons, is striker Darryl Murphy. Murphy signed for the club permanently in 2013 - after two back-to-back loan spells (having also been on-loan at the club in 2009-10, before leaving in 2016 to join Newcastle United - where he won the Championship for the second time of his career. The striker played 225 games for the Blues, scoring 67 goals - 27 of which came in 44 Championship appearances in the 2014/15 campaign.

I did consider naming a substitutes bench, but I have decided against it, as I think that list would no doubt end up being rather long!