An experienced defender (b 12/05/82) he joined AFC at the start of the 2016/17 season July 2016. He started his footballing career with Cambridge United as a professional at the start of the 1999/2000 season playing mainly reserve team football. During 2001 he made on appearance on loan at Cambridge City. He stayed with United until the end of the 2004/05 season. (121 apps 4 gls). He then played one game for Gravesend and Northfleet before signing for Notts County making only five appearances before in January 2006 joining Leyton Orient. In the autumn of 2006 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the autumn of 2006, but following a successful operation, he returned in the latter stages of the 2006–07 season. (31 apps 2 gls) He re-joined Notts County in June 2007 where he stayed until the end of the 2008/09 season when he was released (55 apps 1gl). In July 2009 he signed for Histon playing throughout the 2009/10 season. (41 apps 1 gl) before at the end of it he joined Chelmsford City. He remained with them until the end of the 2012/13 season during 2012 he played one game for Bury Town on loan. (47 apps 3 gls) Leiston was his next club at the start of the 2013/14 season and he stayed throughout it and started the 2014/15 season with ‘The Blues’. He left them in January 2015 and signed for St Neots Town staying until the end of the season before joining AFC. He played throughout the 2016/17 season when the club were relegated missing only one game. He won the club's Excellence Shield at the end of the season awards evening. On 15th June 2017 the club announced that he had left and he appeared to have retired. On 9th June 2018 he was announced as player/coach at Lowestoft Town.

Apps 53 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 09/06/18

Russell Tanner

A left back (b 11/03/72) who spent many years at Braintree Town before going to Heybridge Swifts from where he signed for AFC in October 2001. In season 2002/03 found his opportunities limited and left in December 2002 for Witham Town. At the start of season 2003/04 he became their assistant manager and was still there at the start of 2004/05. In 2005/06 he was promoted to first team manager at Witham. They gained promotion to the Ryman League Division One North in season 2006/07. On 30th September 2006 he resigned from the manager’s position due to financial cuts at the club. In the middle of November 2006 he was appointed assistant manager at Maldon Town. At the end of the 2006/07 season he was appointed manager of the club and was still there at the start of the 2007/08 season. He continued in the position for 2008/09, until the middle of September 2008 when he was sacked while on holiday in Florida. Seen at Heybridge Swifts on 8th September 2012 he was not involved in football apart from watching various Essex clubs.

Apps 43 Subs 9 Goals 0
Updated 11/09/12

Ross Taylor

A midfielder he was previously with Arsenal as a youth team player, ‘Roscoe’ signed from Heybridge Swifts at the start of the 2002/03, although made debut in charity game against Hollyoaks X1. His other clubs included Stevenage Borough and Chelmsford City. He will be remembered for his very strange haircuts. Was not re-signed at the start of season 2003/04 and joined Wivenhoe Town was still with them in season 2004/05. He was not re-signed in 2005/06. In January 2013 he was a hairdresser at Rosscos in Leigh Road Southend.

Apps 44 Subs 5 Goals 1
Updated 20/01/13

Mark Theobald

‘Sparky’ was a regular member of the club’s reserve side where he played in most positions. He made his first team debut when he came on as a substitute at Swaffham on 17th November 2001. At the end of the 2002/03 season he was the winner of the Reserve Team Player’s Player of the year award. At the start of season 2003/04 he was made captain of the club’s reserve side and signed Ridgeons League forms in September 2003. At the start of October 2003 he was lured to Blackhouse Lane and joined Cornard United and was still there at the start of season 2004/05. In March 2005 he signed for Sudbury Athletic, but at the start of the 2005/06 season was back with AFC signing to play in the reserve, however towards the end of the season he won a recall to the first team and played a number of games. He was back in season 2006/07 and made two substitute appearances. At the end of the season he won the Players Player of the Year award, but never returned to the club at the start of the 2007/08 season. In December 2007 he played a game for Sudbury Athletic. At the start of the 2008/09 season he had returned to Cornard United. In September 2008 he had left and returned once again to Sudbury Athletic. In March 2009 he was playing for Cockfield United and in August 2009 at Sudbury Athletic. On 23rd September 2009 he re-signed for AFC and at the end of the season won the Reserve Team Leading Goalscorer award. In August 2010 he returned for the 2010/11 season. He was back yet again just after the start of the 2011/12 season, but only played a few times due to injury.

Apps 8 Subs 6 Goals 0
Updated 24/04/12

Bradley Thomas

A central defender (b 29/03/84) he started his career under Peterborough United in 2002 but did not make a first-team appearance While there he was loaned out to Kettering Town in 2003 (9 apps 1 goal), Aldershot Town 2003/04 (5 apps 1 goal), Heybridge Swifts 2004 (7 apps), Welling United 2004 (1 app) and Weymouth 2005 (12 apps 2 goals). He signed for Eastleigh in the summer of 2005 but in January 2006 he joined Yeovil Town however he made only one appearance and was loaned out to both Tamworth (11 apps 2 goals) and Boston United (11 apps 2 goals) and was then released by Yeovil at the end of the 2006/07 season. In June 2007 he was signed by Crawley but broke a leg in August 2007 and did not play again until February 2008, he then agreed a deal to stay at Crawley (27 apps) for the 2008/09 season in the Conference. He left and joined King’s Lynn in 2008 (26 apps 2 goals) however late in the season played for Sutton United (4 apps). In November 2009 he joined Hendon (5 apps). Braintree Town was the next club on 15 July 2010 after a trial spell and then a short time at Concord Rangers before joining Grays Athletic in November 2010. He decided to leave Grays in March 2012 but after discussions with the club remained with them until the end of the 2011/12 season (60 apps 7 goals). He signed for AFC on 13th June 2012 and made his debut on 15th September 2012. On 23rd November he was released by the club. Aveley announced that he had joined them on 8th January 2013 and he stayed until the end of the season. On 18th July 2013 they stated he had signed again for the 2013/14 season.

Apps 10 Subs 0 Goals 1
Updated 18/07/13

Ben Thompson

A forward (b 03/05/84), he was previously with the Norwich City Academy starting in their Under 16′s in season 1999/2000 and leaving in the middle of 2002, then joined up with Wroxham in October 2002. September 2003 saw him join Acle United while he attended university. June 2005 he signed for Cromer Town and June 2006 he was back with Wroxham. The summer of 2008 and it was off to Witney United while he was living in the area before returning to Wroxham in December 2010. He joined AFC on 24th June 2013 and scored on his competitive debut on 10th August 2013. He played until the end of the 2013/14 season and on 27th April 2014 stated he would not be returning in 2014/15. He joined Norwich United for the 2014/15 and in April 2015 he won a Championship medal as the club won the Thurlow Nunn Premier League. He also won the League Cup with 'The Planters'. At the end of the season he won both the Managers and the Players Player Of The Year Awards. In a pre-season friendly at Diss on 11th July 2015 he broke his tibia and fibula that required an operation. He returned to the 'Plantation Park' club and was playing again in November 2016. 'Thommo' continued throughout the 2015/16 season as the club won the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division and promotion to the Ryman North League. On 13th May 2016 he won a runners medal in the Norfolk Senior Cup and the next day announced it had been his last game for the club and would be at Mulbarton United for the 2016/17 season. He became player manager at the Norfolk club and at the end of the season won the League Cup (Mummery) with them. He continued with them in 2017/18.

Apps 48 Subs 7 Goals 7
Updated 19/07/17

Gary Thompson

A much-travelled player, he was on Ipswich Town’s books as well as at Sudbury Town, Woodbridge Town and Felixstowe. Mainly a defensive midfield man ‘Tommo’ signed for AFC in November 2002 and had the dubious distinction of being sent off on his debut against Clacton. Made only token appearances and as a result went to Wivenhoe Town at the start of season 2003/04, but in December 2003 he re signed for AFC. On 1st April 2004 he transferred to Clacton Town. He however appeared once again in an AFC shirt this time as a guest player in a pre-season game in Dublin in August 2004. Woodbridge Town was his club from the start of season 2004/05 played a few games but was injured. At the start of the 2007/08 season it was announced that he was the manager of Whitton United Reserves. On 25th October 2007 he was promoted to manager of their first team and the club won promotion at the end of the season.He continued in that role at the start of the 2008/09 season. On 21st December 2008 Tiptree United announced that on 1st January 2009 he would become their assistant manager. That lasted until 6th March 2009 when they announced he had left the club. On 4th August 2009 he was named as the assistant manager of Hadleigh United. On 3rd May 2010 he had left the club by mutual consent along with the manager. At the start of the 2010/11 season he was coaching at Ipswich Wanderers. He was not involved during 2011/12 but on 21st June 2012 he was appointed as assistant manager of Felixstowe and Walton United. On 18th September 2012 he was relieved of his duties along with the manager.

Apps 12 Subs 1 Goals 0
Updated 18/09/12

Ricky Thurlow

A young tall striker when he came from youth football to play for the reserves and made one appearance in an Eastern Floodlight fixture in season 2004/05. He left the club and went to Hadleigh United and in 2005/06 and 2006/07 was at Capel Plough, but stopped playing for them halfway through the season. In November 2007 he was playing for Capel Plough Reserves. On 13th February 2010 he was still with Capel but playing in their first team, and he was still with them on in January 2012. Capel management reported on 17th February 2012 that he had retired.

Apps 1 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 18/02/12

Luis Tibbles

A young goalkeeper, he started off in the Norwich City youth system before joining Wroxham in the Ryman League in 2013/14 and in 2014/15 was with Kirkley and Pakefield in the Thurlow Nunn League winning both Player's and Supporters Player Of the Year. He joined AFC at the end of July 2015 and was duel registered with Kirkley and Pakefield started the season playing for them. He made his AFC debut on 13th October 2015 played four games and the returned to play for the North Suffolk side. On 25th November he played in a 'trial' game at Bromley in front of watching scouts from Football League clubs. He continued with Kirkley and Pakefield and was playing for them in April 2016. He returned to play for them in the 2016/17 season and did so on 2nd August 2016. On 18th July 2017 he played in a pre-season game for Bury Town and on 9th August signed on for the 2017/18 season. He played for them on 27th January 2018.

Apps 3 Subs 1 Goals 0
Updated 30/01/18

Lee Townrow

A midfield man, (b 30/04/85) he originally played for AFC as a triallist at Harwich in July 2007 but was not signed. He has previously played for Wivenhoe Town, Heybridge Swifts, Redbridge, Tiptree United and Halstead Town, where he was their leading scorer in the 2009/10 season. He signed for AFC from the Essex club at the start of season 2010/11. On 18th January 2011 he was sent off and on his return on 15th February was sent off again. As a result of his ill discipline he was released on 20th February. He signed for FC Clacton on 23rd February 2011, but never played a game for them and on 9th March 2011 re-joined Redbridge. On 27th May 2011 Maldon and Tiptree United stated they had signed him for the 2011/12 season. He stayed there until the 2nd December 2011 when he left and signed for Stanway Rovers, where he was in April 2012. He played against AFC for them on 24th July 2012 and was still there in January 2013. On 19th February 2013 the Essex club released him and he signed once again for AFC and played until then end of the season. On 1st June 2013 he had joined Needham Market, however on 29th January 2014 he was made available for transfer by ‘The Marketmen’. On 3rd February 2014 he signed on loan until the end of the 2013/14 season for Witham Town. He won promotion to the Ryman Premier League with the Spa Road club on 5th May 2014. On 1st June 2014 it was announced that he was staying with them for the 2014/15 season, which he did until 30th October 2014 when he was released. He then signed for Brantham Athletic. On 10th October 2015 after being out of football for sometime he played again for Witham Town. He remained there only until 27th November when he re-joined Heybridge Swifts, this lasted until January 2016. On 25th February 2016 he had signed for FC Clacton and was sent off in a game soon afterwards. In the middle of April he was banned for 27 months by the FA. However on 19th August 2016 Cornard United announced that he had signed for them, but he never played for them during 2016/17.

Apps 36 Subs 2 Goals 8
Updated 06/05/17

Chris Tracey

He had been captain at Sudbury Town (370 apps) up to amalgamation and came to the new club in June 1999 with a great deal of enthusiasm. Was made captain in the first season and won the Supporters and the First Team Manager’s Player of the Year in 1999/00. A tall central defender (b 13/02/70) had previously played at Harwich and Parkeston (221 apps) and had trials at Colchester United and at one time interested Millwall. ‘Lurch’ was granted a testimonial game which he shared with Robert Sims, against West Ham United at the start of season 2001/02, a man who did not like to lose. He was captain of the Vase final team of 2002/03 and Manager’s Player of the Year in the same season. At the start of November 2003 he signed a new contract keeping him at the club until the end of the 2004/05 season. Injuries took their toll and he was not selected for the F.A. Vase final squad of 2004/05 and afterwards decided he would leave the club. The club released him from his contract and he signed for Ipswich Wanderers (42 apps) in May 2005 and he played for them throughout that season. In a surprise move at the start of 2006/07 he joined Needham Market (47 apps) as player-manager. On 27th June 2007 he re-signed for AFC as a player on a one-year contract. After some discussion he was allowed to leave on 30th January 2008 to join Long Melford, although AFC retained his Ryman registration. On 31st January he was unveiled as the new player/manager of Long Melford (8 apps). On 2nd April 2008 he re-appeared in an AFC shirt as a substitute in the Ryman League Cup Final. On 15th April it was announced that he was to be the Stanway Rovers manager for 2008/09 and had left Long Melford, on the same day he was an unused substitute for AFC. He remained with AFC until the end of the season. On 18th May 2008 he resigned as the Stanway Rovers manager to become assistant manager at AFC to new manager Nicky Smith. At the end of January 2009 he agreed a deal to keep him at the club until the end of the 2010/11 season. He was still with club in December 2010 having hung up his playing boots after over 1000 senior games. On 15th March 2011 it was announced by the club that he had signed an extension to his contract that run until December 2012. On 18th March he stated he had not signed any extension and would not be at the club in season 2011/12. On 5th April 2011 he made an announcement that he would in fact be staying with the club and a had agreed to stay until December 2012. He started the 2011/12 season still as the club’s assistant manager. On 15th September 2011 when manager Nicky Smith resigned he was appointed as the club’s acting manager. The AFC board appointed him as the permanent manager until the end of the 2011/12 season on 12th October 2012. On 26th January 2012 he was given a contract until the end of the 2012/13 season. He was in post through the 2013/13 season until 13th March 2013 when he resigned his position. On 16th March he had signed and played for Cornard United at the age of 43. On 25th April 2013 Diss Town announced that he had joined their management team with immediate effect. On 2nd October 2013 he was appointed interim manager when the manager resigned, and on 29th October was named as the permanent manager of ‘The Tangerines’. He remained with the Norfolk club until 9th March 2014 when after some poor results he resigned his position. On 30th September 2014 he played for Cornard United at the age of 44. He then went to Sporting 87 and at the start of January 2015 began playing for them and was still with them in April 2015. On 14th April he was in the dugout at Cornard United helping their manager out for a league game. At the start of the 2015/16 season he was the manager of the Sporting 87 Under 18 side that would be playing at AFC during the season. On 28th August 2015 he was announced as the new manager of Cornard United and was still there in April 2016. On 4th May 2016 the cub announced he would continue for the 2016/17 season and he continued throughout it guiding them up the table. On 4th May 2017 the club announced he would continue for the 2017/18 season. He started the season with them but on 14th September stepped down from the position.

Apps 341 Subs 89 Goals 22

Record as Manager

Total Played 84 Won 38 Drew 15 Lost 31 Goals For 149 Against 150

Season 2011/12 Played 46 Won 26 Drew 7 Lost 13 Goals For 89 Against 66

Season 2012/13 Played 38 Won 12 Drew 8 Lost 18 Goals For 60 Against 84

Updated 15/09/17

Jake Turner

An attacking midfield man ( b 16/11/91) he spent four seasons with Brightlingsea Regent making over 200 appearances that culminating with a Ryman North Championship medal at the end of the 2016/17 season. He joined AFC in June 2017 and made his competitive debut on 12th August, however after a change of management he left on 13th October 2017. On 23rd October he had re-joined Brightlingsea Regent.

Apps 15 Subs 1 Goals 3
Updated 23/10/17

Josh Turner

A nineteen year-old midfielder (b 11/12/91) when he signed for AFC on 26th January 2011 after being released from Soham Town Rangers. At sixteen he had a trial with Portsmouth before starting his footballing career at Cambridge United, he then went to Histon before joining Soham. He represented both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire at Under 18 level. He left at the end of the 2010/11 season and on 9th July 2011 was having a trial with King’s Lynn Town. On 23rd July 2011 he was playing again for Soham Town Rangers, but on 6th August he turned out for Mildenhall Town and later signed for them. On 1st July 2012 he was announced as a new signing for newly promoted Wroxham. He played for them and in September 2012 he ruptured ligaments in his knee that would keep him out for the remainder of the 2012/13 season. Pre-season 2013/14 saw him back at AFC continuing his recovery and on 30th July 2013 played a bit part in a game at Hadleigh. His knee did not stand up to playing and he had yet another operation that would stop his playing career, however later on he was given hope that he maybe able to play on. On 11th July 2014 he played for AFC Reserves/U21's but suffered another knee injury that required hospital treatment. He went for another operation on 28th July when it was found his knee was beyond repair in relation to playing ever again and he announced his retirement. He stated his intention to continue in football in some capacity in the future.

Apps 9 Subs 9 Goals 1
Updated 28/07/14

UP TO 30/01/18