FA VASE DRAW: LAST 16

We have been drawn away to either Great Yarmouth or Haywards Heath in the last 16 of the FA Vase on February 7th.

Their game was abandoned at 1-1 after 55 minutes on Saturday due to fog and they will try again on Sunday January 25th.

We reached the last sixteen of the competition last season before exiting on penalties to Andover New Street.

FA VASE:BARNSTAPLE 1 AFC STONEHAM 2

FA Vase 4th round (last 32)

Barnstaple 1

AFC Stoneham 2

Scorers: Thomson(pen) , Jenkins.

The pitch passed two inspections although was inevitably very wet and heavy.

We were probably slightly second best for the first 20 minutes as we adjusted to conditions and a partizan crowd of nearly 400.

However we started to get more control of the ball and Jake Thomson converted a penalty on 37 minutes after Tyrrell Sampson had been fouled to give us a half time lead although on the stroke of half time Duarte Martins also had what appeared to be a possible goal disallowed.

We missed good chances before Ollie Jenkins gave us a two goal lead on 55 minutes after more good work from Sampson.

In control at 2-0 sub Owen Fee was sent off on 88 minutes with Barnstaple eventually scoring from the resulting free kick.

Eight minutes of added time on a difficult pitch meant the boys had to defend resolutely before the ref finally blew his whistle to record another famous win and see us progress to the last 16 of the competition.

We also reached the last 16 stage last season in this national competition with over 700 entries and the prize of a Wembley final.

It has been a long couple of days however we travel back tonight with immense pride in our team.

Well done boys on a great result on another fantastic day for the club.

We thank Barnstaple for their hospitality and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.

#upthepurps

SOUTHAMPTON FC - PARTNERSHIP

Club Announcement.

AFC Stoneham announce new Affiliate Grassroots Partnership with Southampton FC

We are very proud and delighted that AFC Stoneham are today launching a new three year Affiliate Grassroots Partnership with Southampton Football Club.

This partnership is the very first of its type and will bring numerous benefits to the club and all of our players, managers and coaches.

On launching the partnership club chairman, Mark Stupple, said;

"AFC Stoneham are incredibly proud to be the first grassroots community club to form this type of affiliate grassroots partnership with Southampton Football Club.

All of our 1700 plus players and 500 club volunteer managers and coaches will undoubtedly benefit from the partnership allowing them all the opportunity to further progress and develop in many various ways whilst further enhancing our clubs positive effect within our local community.

From my meetings with the club, it was very obvious that our ethos and values align allowing both clubs to work closely together whilst Southampton Football Club will very much support and develop our club’s medium to long term vision”

Further details will follow whilst our club feels immense pride in being able to form this partnership on a historic day for AFC Stoneham.

Please share.

southamptonfc.com

www.southamptonfc.com

ABBYS HEROES - NEW PARTNER

Abby's Heroes partnership.

AFC Stoneham are proud and delighted to announce a new partnership with Abby's Heroes, the fantastic children's cancer charity.

The collaboration, made possible with support from law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, will involve an 18-month programme of fundraising and awareness raising activities to support the charity’s work with children with cancer and their families across the south coast.

Four or five of our younger teams will be wearing Abby's Heroes kit whilst the club aims to raise money for the charity at various events including our summer tournament and a charity football match.

Please see below link for a piece in the Southern Daily Echo announcing the partnership.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/.../25748007.afc-stoneham.../

A wonderful charity that AFC Stoneham are very proud to be working with.

Thank you

SUMMER TOURNAMENT - JULY 4 AND 5

We are delighted to confirm that our summer tournament will be on July 4 and 5 this year.

This will be our 10th tournament which last year attracted over 180 teams and 5000 people over the weekend with a waiting list for most age groups due to popularity.

We will be releasing further details over the next 7-10 days however if you wish to register your interest please email:

tournament@afcstoneham.co.uk or chairman@afcstoneham.co.uk

Thank you

New Neurodiversity and Mental Health Champion - Charlotte

We are delighted to announce that Charlotte Young, U12 Girls Coach has been appointed as the club’s first ever Neurodiversity and Mental Health Champion. This is an important step in our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for every player, family and coach within our club's community.

Charlotte brings a wealth of experience and passion to this role. As someone who is AuDHD herself, she understands first hand the challenges and strengths that come with neurodiversity. She has already made a significant impact by completing the Vault FMHA programme, and is currently studying for certification in children’s mental health and counselling, further enhancing her ability to support our players, managers and coaches.

Her focus will be supporting players who identify as neurodiverse or face mental health challenges, ensuring they feel understood and empowered to thrive both on and off the pitch. We believe that this will equip coaches with the knowledge and tools to recognise, understand, and support players in this space. To achieve this, training sessions and drop-in clinics will soon be available providing practical guidance and resources.

This initiative reflects our belief that football is for everyone and that mental health and neurodiversity should never be barriers to participation or success. Please join me in welcoming Charlotte to this vital role and supporting her efforts to make our club a place where every individual feels valued.

If you or a player need support or want more information, please reach out to Charlotte:

Email - charliem5@sky.com

Tel/WhatsApp - 07801 413612 


Happy New Year and 2025 Headlines.

AFC Stoneham would like to wish a very happy new year to all of our players, parents, managers, coaches ,sponsors and volunteers.

Whilst very much looking forward to 2026 we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the outstanding moments and events of 2025.

Social Value Impact report - £6.5 M

During 2025 we commissioned a Social Value Impact report to quantify the amount of positive effect we have on our local community. We are so proud that this figure totalled over £6.5M

The report was structured around four key headings of Volunteers, Investment, Health and Our Community.

The report concluded that, “AFC Stoneham helps to create a united football environment that tackles inequalities, delivers inspirational opportunities and improves health for all within our community. We are at the heart of our community, generating defined social, health and economic benefits”.

Boys and Girls teams

AFC Stoneham was confirmed as the second largest grassroots community club in England during 2025 with 157 teams and over 1700 players which we are immensely proud of. Having grown our girls teams from one, only six years ago, to thirty four today the club now has the largest number of girls teams of any one grassroots club in the country.

Mens first team

Despite the huge disappointment of missing out on promotion via the play offs, having been league runners up for the second consecutive season by 19 points, we reached three cup finals winning two of them and notably the Hampshire Senior Cup for the first time on our 106 year history.

Ladies first team

Our ladies had another successful season finishing third in the league having been runners up during the two previous seasons. The club has been delighted with the progress of many young players from our junior teams progressing into our first team which we feel ensures a bright future still very much with the aim of progressing the team to the next level.

Nike / Kitlocker contract

In light of our growth and standing within grassroots clubs in England we were approached by Nike and Kitlocker to become a Nike Partner Club and signed a three year contract in the summer. The benefits are not just around kit and also allow for support in many other areas of the club aligned to our longer term aims and objectives.

Summer Tournament

We held our tenth consecutive summer tournament with over 5000 people and 180 teams visiting our home ground over the weekend. The Tournament is now established as one of the best and biggest in the South of England.

The Tournament will be held over the weekend of July 4 and 5 in 2026.

Kenyan Teams

AFC Stoneham were delighted to be able to form and fully support two new teams out in Kenya driven by our young coach Jacob Dockree who visited and set up the teams for us during the second half of 2025.

Sponsorship

The number of businesses now sponsoring our teams increased during 2025 in no small part due to our new Sponsors Brochure which is available via the club and on our website.

This increased sponsorship allows more teams to now play and train in our new Nike kit and supports the club moving forward. Every piece of sponsorship is hugely appreciated.

Thank you for your tremendous help and support during 2025 and we look forward to creating and sharing many more wonderful moments with you during 2026.

Happy New Year !

League tables and Fixtures - Useful Links

Our senior teams league tables and fixtures for the season can be found under “League Tables and Fixtures “ on our website.

Our next four first team home games are:

6/1/26 v Locks Heath 7.45 kick off SDFA Cup

10/1/26 v Downton 3pm kick off Wessex Premier league

31/1/26 v Hamble 3pm kick off Wessex Premier League

3/2/26 v Brockenhurst 7.45pm kick off Wessex Premier League

Our Ladies First teams next two home fixtures are::

18/1/26 v Winchester City Flyers 2pm kick off County Cup

8/2/26 v Bursledon 2pm kick off Womens Southern Regional league

Useful google links for information:

FA Full time Wessex Premier league

FA Full time Womens Southern Regional league

FA Full time Hampshire Combination League

Velocity Wessex League

Top at Christmas - Long way to go!!

We enter 2026 top of the Velocity Wessex Premier league after yesterdays 3-1 home win over second placed Petersfield. We are half way through our league programme having played 19 games.

The top positions going into 2026 are:

AFC STONEHAM P 19 GD 36 POINTS 49

PETERSFIELD P 20 GD 23 POINTS 46

HAMBLE P 20 GD 35 POINTS 41

BROCKENHURST P 20 GD 19 POINTS 35

PORTLAND UTD P 19 GD 18 POINTS 35

BAFFINS MILTON P 19 GD 14 POINTS 34

ANDOVER NEW ST P 20 GD 9 POINTS 33

SHERBORNE P 18 GD 14 POINTS 32

LAVERSTOCK P 19 GD 14 POINTS 31

HAMWORTHY REC P 18 GD 7 POINTS 29

DOWNTON P 19 GD 1 POINTS 26

CHRSTCHURCH P 20 GD -1 POINTS 25

We are also still involved in four cups , three at the quarter final stage and the last 32 of the FA Vase.

There is a long way to go and every game will undoubtedly be a big challenge and test during the second half of the season.

Jensen - Outstanding Sportsmanship

Jensen - Outstanding Sportsmanship

U9 Hurricanes

We received a message this afternoon........

"Hi there, I’m not sure whether or not I have the right number but my son’s team have just played Stoneham u9s hurricanes and I really feel I need to feedback on the exceptional sportsmanship of their goalkeeper.

He complimented everyone on the opposition team, shook their hands and their managers’ hands before going to celebrate with his team. When they came off the pitch, he walked up to my son (who is goalkeeper for Netley yellows) to tell him that he’s a really good goalkeeper.

I really wanted to feedback to their coach at the time but they were leading the debrief. I wouldn’t normally message on WhatsApp with things like this but I couldn’t not feed this back. Please could you pass on to his coach/parents how impressed I was by him"

We have thanked the lady for taking the time to send such a fantastic message. We all hear the negative news but rarely do we hear or spread the positive news.....and there is more positive than negative!

As a club we are extremely fortunate and proud to have such wonderful children in our ranks such as Jensen.

Well done Jensen for setting such a great example of superb sportsmanship!

Thank you.

SUPER U12 GIRLS PHOENIX FIRST EVER WIN!!

Super U12 Girls Phoenix

What a day ....the teams first ever win!

U12 G Phoenix Vs Colden Common Royals - HFA Cup - 1st win for the team!!

On Silent Weekend, voices were quiet but hearts were loud.

The Phoenix girls showed that communication isn’t just about shouting loudly — it’s about trust, movement, and understanding. Every drill, every tactic, every lesson from training was on display today. From pressing as a unit to supporting each other off the ball, they played like a team that believes in each other, and it was a beautiful sight.

It wasn’t the easiest start, with an unlucky own goal from a corner in the 3rd minute. But instead of heads dropping, they fought back instantly. Lottie smashed down the left for the equaliser, Katie pulled off a stunning one-handed save, and Charlotte redeemed herself with a brilliant goal to put us ahead at half-time.

In the second half, they controlled the game with confidence, every single one of them playing their part. Lily added a well-taken goal, Keira made a heroic block on the line, and Charlotte sealed the win with her second of the day. Final score: 4-1 to the Phoenix, who now progress to the next round of the cup!

Every pass, every run, every moment of support was a reflection of the trust and connection they’ve built. The bond these girls have is phenomenal — no egos, just a team relentlessly supporting each other. They’ve taken everything from training — the hard work, the learning, the commitment — and turned it into a performance that showed exactly what they’re capable of.

As coaches and parents, we couldn’t be prouder of how far they’ve come since the team was rebuilt in the summer. Today wasn’t just a win; it was proof of their growth, resilience, and unity. Never have they lived our motto more: as Phoenixes, they rose together. Always

Opposition POTM: Lottie – unstoppable on the wing and consistent week after week.

Parents & Coaches POTM: Charlotte – 2 goals, 2 assists, and tireless work rate earned her 2 awards!

What is "winning"? This is "winning"!!

Well done Phoenix. Proud of you all.

#upthepurps

REMEMBERANCE WEEKEND

Remembrance Weekend

All of our teams are observing a minutes silence or applause this weekend.

The club has asked all of our managers to take time before hand to explain to the children as to why we observe and respect a minutes silence.

We honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who gave their lives.

Lest we forget.

AFC STONEHAM LAUNCH IN KENYA!!

AFC Stoneham in Kenya

We are delighted to announce that the club is creating new AFC Stoneham teams in Kenya as we introduce young players to organised football and coaching.

Our club coach, Jacob, arrived in a small village called Guu just outside of Oyugis in Western Kenya this week.

Jacob has volunteered for a charity which is a home for teenage mothers where they can stay, study and play football whilst learning how to better look after their babies. The charity also helps the boys in the village by running football training and various classes.

Jacob under AFC Stoneham is now heading up the football coaching for both male and females until Christmas.

The project has already created two new "AFC Stoneham - Kenya" teams registered under the Kenyan FA. One team for boys and one for girls.

The boys are aged between 15 and 18 and the girls 16 and 18, both will play 11-a-side

with the first friendlies due to be played next weekend after a couple of weeks training. All kit and equipment is being donated by AFC Stoneham.

Jacob is also hoping to run a younger boys team very soon which is currently work in progress.

Jacob said" The kids are brilliantly talented but most of them have never been coached. Most have never worn football boots or even been to a proper pitch. AFC Stoneham is the talk of the village and thanks to the donation I am seeing purple everywhere !"

This is a wonderful initiative for the club and Jacob is undoubtedly a superstar representing AFC Stoneham in such a fantastic way.

Jacob will be updating the club with reports on a regular basis up to Christmas.

We all very much look forward to the progress of this fantastic project!

Thank you

#upthepurps

Our girls host Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion Girls v AFC Stoneham

Our U10, U12, U14 and U15 girls teams all hosted premier league Brighton and Hove Albion girls this week.

All of the matches were well contested and played in a great spirit. Brighton and Hove Albion were extremely complimentary of both the girls and the club.

We are now hoping to build stronger links with both Brighton and Hove Albion and other academies over the next few months.

We would like to thank Brighton for visiting Stoneham Lane whilst sending a big well done to all of our teams.

#upthepurps

Super Olly Small

Super Olly Small !

U11 Athletics Olly Small had a lot of his hair cut off on Thursday to raise money for the charity Young Lives v Cancer.

Our men's first team have just donated to take the total to £1100 with a target set by Olly of £1300.

Any contribution that you can make towards hitting Ollys target would be superb.

A huge well done to Olly for raising this amount of money for a wonderful charity!

Thank you

ISMAIL ON BBC DIY SOS!

ISMAIL AND BBC DIY SOS

The recent episode of BBCs DIY SOS programme was this week filmed in Southampton and AFC Stoneham certainly played their part!

Our U11 Mavericks player Ismail and his family enjoyed the makeover of their house by over 150 tradesman from the local area who all gave up their time free of charge over the space of a week.

The BBC and Nick Knowles visited AFC Stoneham whilst Ismail and his Mavericks team mates were filmed during an evening training session. Thank you to Mavericks manager,Asa, for organising this who said it was a "fantastic experience" for the whole team.

Our club also had some of our great people help fulfil the families dream's.

Nick Odonnell, U13 Phoenix manager, and his business Solid Build did a lot of the bricklaying during the week. Nick said" it was such a fantastic experience where we made so many new friends. It was brilliant!"

Stewart Beck, Veterans manager, and his business Aqua Heat Assure installed a lot of the new plumbing. "Becko" said " A surreal experience. Absolutely wonderful in "organised chaos". I must admit there was a lot of us "peeling onions" when the final reveal and finished house was shown this week!".

The episode is due to be on BBC1 early next year.

Both Solid Build and Aqua Heat Assure are two fantastic local businesses highly recommended by AFC Stoneham.

Our club is very lucky and so proud to have such wonderful people as Ismail, Nick and Stewart on board with us.

Well done guys !

#upthepurps

#diysos