A strong, well built centre forward (b 24/1/84) who started his career with Kings Lynn, before having season with Grantham Town. He had spells with Mildenhall Town and finished the 2006/07 season with Dereham Town. He went Australia where he played for Noosa Lions before returning to England just prior to the start of the 2007/08 season. He made his AFC debut as a trialist at Leiston on 21st July 2007, before signing a one year deal with the club on 23rd July. ‘Bakes’ scored on his league debut against Aveley on 18th August 2007. At the end of the season he left and on 1st June 2008 signed for Mildenhall Town. On 11th October 2008 he went on a months loan to Dereham Town, but on 5th November Mildenhall placed him on the transfer list. His loan was extended for another four weeks on 8th November. On 13th December 2008 he signed for Dereham Town on a permanent basis, he however played his last game for them in January 2009, and was believed to have taken up employment in Australia soon afterwards. He in fact played football for Sunshine Coast FC in the Queensland State League and won the 2010 Championship with them in September 2010. On 25th November 2010 he was back in England and had signed for King’s Lynn Town and was awaiting international clearance, this was received and he played for the Linnets until the end if the 2010/11 season. On 14th June 2011 King’s Lynn Town announced that they were not retaining his services and he had left the club. Wisbech Town announced that he had signed for them on 3rd August 2011. He played tiihroughout the 2011/12 season becoming the club’s leading marksman, and at the end of it won The Managers, the Players and The Supporters Player Of The Season Awards. At the start of the 2012/13 season he was still with Wisbech, and he played until the end of the season, finishing runners up in the league and winning the League Cup. In early May 2013 he announced he was emigrating to New Zealand after playing the 2013/14 season in Australia. This however seemed on hold as on 17th August 2013 he had signed for Cambridge City. On 30th October 2013 he had left ‘The Lilywhites’ and gone to New Zealand where he worked as a stonemason and played football for Canterbury United. In early September 2014 he was back in the UK and on playing again for Cambridge City and was still there on 21st March 2015. On 13th May 2015 he was not offered new terms with the club and was leaving possibly to go abroad. He did however sign for Wisbech Town at the start of the 2015/16 season, where he remained until 22nd January 2016 when he left to join Stamford. On 19th February he was announced as a new signing for Milldenhall Town. In May 2016 a goal he scored for Wisbech Town came second in the Budweiser Non League Goal of the Season winning £10,000 for a local football club. He continued with 'The Recway' club in 2016/17 playing on 5th November 2016. At the end of season he won a Champions medal for winning the Thurlow Nunn League and gaining promotion. On 2nd July 2017 the club announced he had agreed a one-year deal to stay with threm for the 2017/18 season. He started with them but on 25th August 2017 he had left and joined Newmarket Town, where he stayed until 1st November when he left and emigrated to Brisbane.

Apps 33 Subs 5 Goals 6
Updated 02/11/17

Mark Bailey

A twenty-five year old central defender he was with the army stationed in Colchester when he asked via Facebook to have chance with the club in December 2012. He previously played for Port Vale Reserves, Stafford Rangers Reserves, Stockbridge and in season 2011/12 with Andover Lions in the Wessex League. He has also represented the Army and the Combined Services. After being named on the bench a number of times he made his AFC debut coming on as a substitute on 15th January 2013. He played for the Reserves until the end of the 2012/13 season. At the start of the 2013/14 season September 2013 he was playing for the reserve side at Stanway Rovers. On 23rd September he re-joined the club to play for the reserves, however on 28th February 2014 he left and joined FC Clacton. On 3rd July 2014 he announced he had stopped playing and was coaching a local U'18s side, however on 25th July he was back playing for FC Clacton. His army career sent him overseas returning late in 2015 and on 30th December 2015 he had signed for Long Melford. He returned overseas and on 9th July he was back in the UK playing Army football in Newquay. On 1st July 2017 he was still in Cyprus.

Apps 1 Subs 7 Goals 0
Updated 02/07/17

Ross Bailey

A midfielder (b 17/09/94) he joined AFC at the start of the 2015/16 season from Dereham Town and made his competitive debut on 8th August 2015. He started his football exploits with West Suffolk College and in 2012 was their Players Player Of the Year and also played for Team Bury and English Colleges FA. He was selected for the English Schools FA and attended Lilleshall in preparation for his international appearances against the home nations. In March 2012 he was playing for the Suffolk U 18’s side. He won the 2013 Boys Football Outstanding Achievement Award at West Suffolk College. In August 2012 until October 2013 he was with Team Bury before in November 2013 joining Bury Town. He was with them again at the start of the 2014/15 season, August 2014 before in October 2014 becoming dual registered with Mildenhall Town and playing eleven games for them. He returned to Bury before in February transferring to Dereham Town until the end of the 2014/15 season. He played throughout the 2015/16 season winning a Championship winners medal at the end of it. On 19th May 2016 he was released by the club. On 10th July Thetford Town announced that he had signed for them for the 2016/17 season and he played for them throughout the season. On 7th June 2017 he had agreed a deal to play for the Mundford Road club for the 2017/18 season. He was part of the Gym United side that reached but lost the final of the FA Sunday Cup in April 2018.

Apps 41 Subs 10 Goals 0
Updated 07/05/18

Lewis Baillie

A midfielder (b 12/02/79) he joined the club at the start of the 2009/10 season having previously played for Cambridge City (2006/07, 2007/08) Bishops Stortford, Heybridge Swifts (2001/02 2002/03), Tiptree United, Wivenhoe Town (2000/01), and Mildenhall Town (2007/09). He was released on 15th October 2009. On 22nd January 2010 he had signed for Newmarket Town and stayed until the end of the season. He did not re-join at the start of 2010/11 but did sign again for the Jockeys on 6th October 2010. On 17th September 2011 he was still with them, however he left the club in November 2011. He was appointed Cambridge City Reserves assistant manager/player coach in March 2012.

Apps 10 Subs 1 Goals 0
Update 13/09/12

James Baker

A 24 year old (b 08/07/87) strong, fast raiding forward, he previously played for Braintree Town, Eastleigh, Welling United, Chelmsford City and Billericay Town before signing for AFC at the start of the 2010/11 season. He suffered a knee injury in early November 2010 that required surgery, but did play in December 2010 as he awaited the operation. The operation was done on 21st January 2010 and he returned soon afterwards. He finished the season as the club’s top scorer with 27 goals. Towards the end of April 2011 he signed a contract to stay with the club for the 2011/12 season. At the end of the 2011/12 season he won both the Managers Player and the Players Player of the Years Awards. He played throughout the 2011/12 season and was the top scorer with twenty-eight goals. In June 2012 he signed on again for the 2012/13 season, in August he broke his wrist that kept him out for until December 2012. On 11th April 2013 he signed an extension to his contract to stay with the club until the end of the 2013/14 season. He played until the end of March 2014 when injury curtailed his season but he was still the club’s leading scorer for the season. He was the winner of the Supporters Player Of The Year award. In season 2014/15 he remained with the club and was converted to a central defender halfway through it. In April 2015 he again won the Supporters Player Of The Year Award, and in May the Players Player Of The Year Award. He returned to the club for the 2015/16 season and played throughout the season culminating in winning a Ryman North Championship medal at the end of it. On 18th May 2016 he agreed a one-year extension to his contract with the club. He played throughout the 2016/17 season although the club were relegated, he won the Supporters Player Of The Year Award for the third time. On 2nd June 2017 he announced he would not be returning to the club for the 2017/18 season and a day later he signed for Harlow Town. He played for them until 16th February 2018 (making 36 appearances) when he announced he had left them. On 17th February Heybridge Swifts announced he had signed for them and scored on his debut on 20th February. He became club Captain and played for them in the play-off semi-final but were defeated on 2nd May 2018. On 22nd May 2018 he agreed to stay with them for the 2018/19 season.

Apps 302 Subs 8 Goals 97
Updated 24/05/18

Sam Bantick

A midfielder, (b 29/10/91) he started his football career with Southend United in their youth set up before joining the youth team at Brentwood Town. He left and went to play for the reserve team at AFC Hornchurch progressing to their first team where he was in February 2011. In March 2012 he went on loan to Cheshunt and in early August 2012 he turned out for Hatfield Town. A short spell at Ware occurred before in December 2012 he returned to Brentwood Town until the end of the 2012/13 season. At the start of the 2013/14 season August 2013 he joined Heybridge Swifts and stayed until the end of the season. He went back to Brentwood in October 2014 and played with them winning promotion to the Ryman Premier League at the end of the season. He was selected in the Ryman North Team of the Season, and was named as the Brentwood Manager’s Player Of the Season. At the start of the 2015/16 he went Concord Rangers playing in the National League South before becoming dual registered with Ryman Premier League side VCD Athletic and playing for them in September 2015. On 17th September 2015 he signed for AFC making his debut two days later as a substitute. He played eight games scored five goals including a hat trick before on 16th October 2015 deciding to go back to Concord Rangers. In the last week of March he signed on dual registration with Brentwood Town and until the end of the season played for both clubs. He won the Essex Senior Cup with Concord in May 2016. On 19th May 2016 he signed a contract to return to AFC for the 2016/17 season, and played in the first Ryman Premier League of the season on 13th August 2016. He remained until 29th March 2017 when he left by mutual consent. On 31st March he joined AFC Hornchurch where he played until the end of the season. On 11th June he announced he had joined Heybridge Swifts again and he played well scoring eighteen goal up to 14th December when the stated they had released him. On 15th December he was announced as a new signing for Tonbridge Angels where he remained until the end of the season. On 8th May 2018 he announced he had left the Kent club. On 13th May Heybridge Swifts announced he has joined them again signing a one year contract.

Apps 57 Subs 1 Goals 14
Updated 13/05/18

Sam Banya

A strong, well built black striker (b 26/02/75) in London he came to Suffolk when 18 months old and was fostered. In his early years he played for Bramford Road Old Boys at most youth age groups before in his mid teens returned to the London area. He played for Surrey side Merstham before returning to Suffolk where he joined SIL side Felixstowe United and then Walton United before signing for Felixstowe Town where he played his first ECL game for them on 27th December 1997. He was then signed by Conference side Kettering Town where he played twenty games helping them to the FA trophy Final, but did not play in it. He went on loan to Bedford Town before buying out his contract to return to Suffolk and playing again at Felixstowe. He then joined Diss Town before when in 2001/02 he started the season at AFC, and scored 50 goals in 55 games. He had trials with Luton, Barnet and Bristol Rovers through that season but nothing came of them. Left the club at start of season 2002/03 and went to Maldon Town but returned in September 2002. In season 2003/04 his appearances were mainly from the bench, but he continued to score goals, as he did in 2004/05. At the end of season 2004/05 he was released from the club and in early June 2005 signed for Needham Market. At the end of August 2005 he left Needham and signed for Diss Town, but after being suspended early in the season he joined Ipswich Wanderers on 2nd December 2005. At the end of March 2006 when goals were in short supply at AFC he was signed yet again and scored on his first game back at Soham. He went on to score thirteen times in twelve games until the end of the season. He was not retained by the new manager and at the start of the 2006/07 season he signed yet again for Ipswich Wanderers but a knee injury kept him out for some time. He had an operation on his knee in October 2006, but came back to play before Christmas. At the start of the 2007/08 pre-season he turned out for Whitton United and signed for them in August 2007 and played until the end of the 2007/08 season. In September 2008 he was believed to have retired to concentrate on business interests. On 25th February 2009 he played for Felixstowe and Walton Reserves scoring a hat trick and on 28th February made his first team debut. On 23rd July 2009 he played for and scored in a pre-season game for Leiston, played a few first team games and reserve ones. Long Melford announced they had signed the 34 year old on 7th December 2009. The club stated he had left by mutual consent on 25th February 2010. In September 2010 he was playing for Whitton United, but on 13th October he was with Woodbridge Town and remained with them until the end of the season. He continued with ‘The Woodpeckers” and was still playing for them on 24th September 2011, however on 27th September 2011 Hadleigh United announced that he had transferred to them. He played only a couple of games and hurt a knee and in January 2012 he had ‘retired’. An operation was required on the knee, which was done an he was playing in a pre-season friendly and scoring for Hadleigh United on 7th July 2012. He was pressed into first team action in an FA Vase game for them on 8th December 2012. He continued to train with the club in the 2013/14 season and was an unused substitute for them on 9th November 2013.

Apps 228 Subs 12 Goals 135
Updated 14/11/13

Danny Barber

A young defender, who came in January 2001, started only two games before being released and going back to Maldon Town. In 2002/03 he was playing for Heybridge Swifts and continued with them in 2003/04 and was still there in season 2004/05 and 2005/06 and 2006/07. He was still with the Scraley Road club at the start of the 2007/08 season, but on 18th February 2008 he left and signed for Boreham Wood FC. He remained with them at the start of the 2008/09 season but on 25th October 2008 he joined Dartford and on his debut ruptured his knee ligaments. He was fit again at the start of the 2009/10 season and remained at Dartford, however on 9th January 2010 he went on a months loan to Heybridge Swifts to get some match practice. It was later agreed that the loan would be extended until the end of the 2009/10 season. On 3rd June 2010 he signed permanently for Heybridge for the 2010/11 season and was with them at the end of the season in May 2011. He signed once again for the Scarley Road club for season 2011/12 in July 2011 and played with them until the middle of March 2012. In the early part of March he was subject of a seven day approach from AFC that was not proceeded with, but on 15th March he had signed for Enfield Town and won promotion with them at the end of the season. He remained with them at the start of the 2012/13 season, however on 27th September 2012 he left the club and re-signed for Heybridge Swifts. On 9th June 2013 he had re-signed for them for season 2013/14 and he stayed throughout it. On 23rd May 2014 he had signed again for the 2014/15 season and played throughout it. The 11th July 2015 saw him still playing for Swifts in a pre-season game and he was still there in October 2015. After then he retired due to injury but on 15th September 2016 he played in a charity game for Swifts.

Apps 3 Subs 2 Goals 0
Updated 15/09/16

Shane Barnes

An 18 year old defender (b 19/12/91) signed from Cornard United on 5th March 2010 he made his debut the next day and won the Man of the Match award. He has represented Suffolk at under 18 level. In the middle of May 2010 he signed on for the 2010/11 season, but on 16th September he was allowed back on loan to the Blackhouse Lane club. On 3rd January 2011 he had transferred to Long Melford. On 19th July 2011 he signed with them for the 2011/12 season and played there throughout the season. On 7th September 2013 he was playing for Bures United, however on 14th September he had rejoined Long Melford, and at the end of the season won the Manager's Player of the Year award. The Stoneylands club stated on 3rd July 2014 that he had signed again for the 2014/15 season. He played a few games early in the season but later on played some games for Bramford United.

Apps 8 Subs 3 Goals 0
Updated 13/04/15

Ben Barnsley

An 18 year old recruited from Braintree Town, he signed for AFC on 5th March 2010 and snatched a last minute equaliser on his debut the next day. He previously played for both Tiptree United and Stanway Rovers. He returned to Braintree at the end of March 2010 and in November 2010 was playing for their reserve side. He was still with the Cressing Road side in November 2011. He remained with them at the start of the 2012/13 season and was still there in February 2013. In October 2014 he was with Coggeshall Town and still there in January 2016. On 7th May 2016 he won a Championship medal winning the ESBL Premier League with them. On 2nd September 2017 he was playing for White Notley.

Apps 5 Subs 2 Goals 1
Update 03/09/17

David Batch

David Batch 4A full UEFA A licence holder, his playing career was with Cambridge United, Wisbech Town and Norwich United before coming manager of Downham Town at the age of 21. He returned to The Abbey Stadium to manage the U’s youth and reserve teams, before taking over as manager of Cambridge City in December 2001. He then concentrated on building up his company, Premier Sport before in April 2009 taking over as manager of Wroxham and leading the club to Wembley and the Final of the FA Vase in his first season in charge. The club also finished in third place in the Eastern Counties League and reached the League Cup Final in his second season. He guided the club to promotion at the end of the 2011/12 season and joined the Ryman North where in 2012/13 they finished in fifteenth place. He joined AFC as Manager on 21st May 2013 guiding the side to the top half of the table and on 10th March 2014 agreed a deal to stay at the club until the end of the 2015/16 season. This agreement lasted until 30th December 2014 when he left to take over at St Neots Town. He led his new team to fifth place and a play-off place but they lost in the final on 4th May 2015. He continued with 'The Saints' for the 2015/16 season and was still with them in December 2015. On 14th January 2016 he announced that he was resigning his position as manager with immediate effect and would be retiring from management to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his business.

Games Played 100 Won 53 Drawn 19 Lost 28
Updated 15/01/16

Phil Battell

A defender who started his career with Sudbury Town and left for Tiptree in 1999 and played for them in the 2001/02 F.A. Vase Final. He then joined Long Melford for a couple of seasons before signing for AFC at the start of the 2005/06 season mainly to play in the Reserves. On 7th December he was named on the bench for the first team but did not get on, however on 17th December he started the game at Kings Lynn Reserves. He re-signed for the club at the start of the 2006/07 season, but played only one first team game, however he was regular in the reserve side. At the start of the 2007/08 he was still at the club, but left in early November 2007 to join Halstead Town. He was with them again at the start of the 2008/09 season, but suffered an early season injury and did not play many games. At the start of the 2009/10 season he was with Glemsford and Cavendish, however at the start of October 2009 he had joined Cornard United. An injury prevented many appearances and in the middle of October 2010 he was playing for Sudbury Athletic and still there in May 2011.

Apps 9 Subs 9 Goals 0
Updated 22/05/11

James Baughurst

A young player from the AFC Academy he made the first team squad as an unused substitute on 17th January 2016 and made the bench a couple more times during the 2015/16 season. He also played for the club's reserve side. He returned for the 2016/17 season and was on the bench again before leaving for Wroxham in September 2016. He also played for UEA during the latter part of the season and returned to AFC in April 2017. He played in a pre-season game in July 2017 for AFC however on 17th September 2017 he transferred to Norwich CBS. He continued to play for UEA also throughout the 2017/18 season. On 27th June 2028 Norwich CBS announced he had joined again for the 2018/19 season.

Apps 0 Subs 4 Goals 0
Updated 27/06/18

Michael Bavester

A goalkeeper (b 17/05/70) signed in November 1999 when regular ‘keeper Dave Walton was injured, played seven times before returning to West Wratting. He later returned to Jewson League football with Tiptree United. In June 2004 ‘Bavvy’ returned to his home town team of Haverhill Rovers. He announced his retirement from playing towards the end of season 2005/06, but stated he would become the goalkeeping coach at the club. He was still there at the start of the 2006/07 season, and played a first team game in January 2007. During season 2009/10 he was the manager of West Wratting before resigning in July 2010 but remained on their committee. In August 2011 he played for Haverhill Sports Association and on 4th October 2011 he played in goal for Haverhill Rovers again. On 22nd March 2013 he was announced as AFC’s goalkeeping coach and stayed to the end of the 2012/13 season when a new management team brought in their own man. At the start of the 2013/14 season he was joint manager of Haverhill Rovers Reserves. On 13th April 2014 he won the Suffolk Veterans Cup playing in goal for Haverhill Rovers Veterans. On 27th September he was announced as the new goalkeeping coach for Haverhill Rovers. On 6th April 2015 he played once again for The New Croft club keeping a clean sheet. He remained with Rover for the 2015/15 season as assistant manager and was still there in December 2015. He left there in March 2016. On 11th May 2016 he was announced as returning to West Wratting FC as part of a new management team. He stayed with them throughout the 2016/17 season and resumed at the start of the 2017/18 season. On 7th November he was appointed as manager of West Wratting and they duly went onto win the league championship under him, also losing in the final of the League Cup in may 2018.

Apps 7 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 07/05/18

Ryan Bedingfield

A young goalkeeper, only 17 years of age when he signed on due to Nathan Munson being unable to play and the other two keepers at the club were both injured. He normally played for Brantham Athletic in the Suffolk and Ipswich League, but made his debut against Wivenhoe Town on 13th March 2007 and did well. In pre-season 2007/08 he played for AFC again, but signed for Ridgeons League side Stanway Rovers, however by November 2007 he was back at Brantham. At the start of the 2008/09 season he was playing for Harwich and Parkeston, however on 4th October 2008 he was back playing at Brantham. At the start of the 2009/10 season he was still with Brantham and was still there in April 2010. He was still with them in July 2010 playing in a pre-season game against AFC, but broke a leg at the end of 2010. He recovered from the injury and was still with Brantham at the end of the 2010/11 season in May 2011. He started the 2011/12 season still with Athletic and played throughout it. On 20th June 2012 the club stated that he had signed a two year contract with them, and he was still with them in September 2013. On 22nd March 2014 he had signed on loan and played for Brightlingsea United. He was announced as a player for Whitton United on 6th September 2014, however he was still playing for Brightlingsea on 6th December but on 13th December he had signed for Felixstowe and Walton United. On 14th February 2015 he played again for Brantham Athletic having returned to the club permanently. He played against AFC for 'The Blue Imps' on July 7th 2015, but in December 2015 had moved to play in the SIL for Crane Sports where he won a Championship medal at the end of the season. He was playing again for Cranes on 20th August 2016. He played for the Ipswich club against AFC Reserves on 11th March 2017 and stayed with them until the end of the season. On 10th May Brantham announced he had returned to them for the 2017/18 season, however it appeared not to happen as on 30th September 2017 he was still playing for Cranes.

Apps 1 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 05/01/17

Shane Benham

A defender, he was a product of the Colne Academy and the AFC Sudbury Under 19′s side before joining the club and being part of the reserve set up at the start of the 2012/13 season. He made his first team debut in a SPC game at Bury Town on 9th October 2012 and made a couple of other appearances in the squad until the end of the season. He remained with the club at the start of the 2013/14 season, however during December 2013 he had left due to work commitments. On 25th July 2015 he appeared to be playing for Felsted Rovers and was still with them on 31st October 2015. He continued with the club in 2016/17 and he played for them on 29th October 2016 and remained for the rest of the season. On 21st July 2017 he was still with Felsted.

Apps 2 Subs 1 Goals 0
Updated 24/07/17

Gary Bennett

A diminutive striker (b 13/11/70), who oozed class. His football career started with Tottenham Hotspur in their youth set up, he however made his professional debut for Colchester United in 1988. In 1989/90 he played 65 League games scoring 13 goals. He then made 65 Conference appearances netting 25 goals and played in the 1991/92 FA Trophy Final as a substitute. He was released in 1993 and went to Braintree Town where he again scored 25 goals. He had brief spells with Brentford, Woking and Dagenham and Redbridge before returning to Braintree where he notched 57 goals in the 1997/98 season. He joined AFC in June 1999 playing in the club’s first game but in February 2000 was transferred for £3000 to Chelmsford City. ‘Benno’ was re-signed at the start of the 2001/02 season for £1500, a good bit of business as he continued to score many classy goals. He remained at the club in season 2002/03, when he won the Player’s Player of the Year award and in 2003/04 when he won the leading Goal Scorer award. He won the same award the following season. Played in all three Vase finals, at the end of season 2004/05 he left the club. In early June 2005 he signed for Witham Town and played for the through the 2005/06 season when they won Ryman Division Two and were promoted to Ryman Division One North. Early in October 2006 he along with many of the senior players left the club. On the 23rd October 2006 he signed as player/assistant manager at Ipswich Wanderers. He signed for Ridgeons First Division side Tiptree United on 9th August 2007, he played only one game and then left. He was still working for the Post Office in September 2008 and not playing football. On 17th October 2010 he played for the Colchester United Legends along with several other AFC players, he scored.

Apps 243 Subs 10 Goals 172
Updated 18/10/10

Steve Benson

An East Anglian Cup tie at Long Melford in February 2003 just prior to an FA Vase game meant a call for the youngster who had played mainly for the club’s under 18’s. A defensive player, at the start of the 2003/04 season he joined Cornard United. Did not re-sign in 2004/05 and was at university in Birmingham. At the start of 2006/07 he signed for Sudbury Athletic and played against AFC Reserves in a pre-season friendly, but still at university. At the start of the 2007/08 season he was back having graduated and playing for Sudbury Athletic again. In October 2008 he was playing for Glemsford and Cavendish United, but at the start of the 2009/10 season he was back playing for Sudbury Athletic. On 19th January 2013 he appeared on ITV’s Take Me Out and had a Eaton Socan FC shirt on and he was in their 2012/13 squad.

Apps 1 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 19/01/13

Aaron Benstead

A goalkeeper signed on 21st October 2008 after injury struck Paul Catley. Born 28/12/82 he was previously with Cambridge City as a youth, then played for Newmarket Town where he was Player of the Year in 2003/04, before joining King’s Lynn in May 2005. Leaving The Linnets in November 2005 and moving to London he played for Wealdstone before signing for Mildenhall Town in December 2005. He re-signed for King’s Lynn in January 2006 before playing for Haverhill Rovers. In the 2007/08 season he played for Tiptree United and did so again at the start of the 2008/09 season. He played only two games for the club and was later playing for Canvey Island Reserves. In August 2009 he was at Millfield playing for Hadleigh United and at the end of the season won the Players Player of the Year award. He remained with the Millfield club at the start of the 2010/11 season and was still there on 27th November 2010. On 27th January 2011 he signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2013. White Ensign announced on 12th March 2011 he had signed or them but he continued with Hadleigh. On 13th June 2011 Hadleigh announced that he had be released by mutual consent. At the start of the 2011/12 season he had joined Maldon and Tiptree but on 8th September 2011 he had transferred to Witham Town. On 19th November 2011 was at The New Croft playing for Haverhill Rovers again. Near to the the start of the 2012/13 season, 21st August 2012 he was playing for Cambridge University Press. In September 2014 he was playing for Leigh Ramblers and was still there in March 2015. He remained with the club for the 2016/17 season and was still with them in April 2017.

Apps 2 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 05/04/17

Ollie Berquez

A very experienced midfield man (b 24/02/82) signed on 17th October 2014 from Maldon and Tiptree where he had been since January 2011. He started his footballing career with Ipswich Town in July 1996 before leaving for Chelmsford City in July 1997. He remained there until July 2001 when he signed for Dagenham and Redbridge staying for a season. In August 2003 he joined Canvey Island until May 2005 when he signed for Stevenage Borough where he stayed for a season leaving in June 2006. His next club was Woking staying until January 2008 and then going to Chelmsford City once again. At the start of the 2008/09 season, August 2009 he joined Dartford and at the start of November when he went on a months loan to Billericay Town returning to Dartford and leaving them in January 2011 for Maldon and Tiptree. He continued with AFC in season 2015/16 also becoming part of the AFC Academy training team. On 16th April 2016 he announced that he would retire from football after the game on 23rd April when he was presented with a Ryman North Championship medal. He retired but continued to work with the club's Academy as well as his own company Blitzmefit.

Apps 85 Subs 6 Goals 7
Updated 24/07/16

Darren Bethell

He started his career with his local side West Bergholt United in the Essex & Suffolk Border League before he joined Cornard United. In December 2001 he played for Norwich City Reserves after trials with both Everton and Cambridge United. In April 2002 he played for Charlton Reserves and at the start of 2002/03 he did pre-season training with them. In September 2002 he went for trials with both Preston North End and Oxford United. In December 2002 he was bought by Wivenhoe but Cornard re-signed him in October 2003. In season 2004/05 at Cornard he was their leading marksman with 24 goals from 35 games. Signed by AFC in June 2005 on a two year contract and made his debut on 16th July 2005. He played for AFC during season 2005/06 mainly coming on from the bench. In early March 2006 he was loaned out to Wivenhoe Town for the rest of the season. He came back to AFC at the start of the 2006/07 season when the new manager was in place and continued playing for AFC. After missing a number of games through injury he made a comeback at the start of February 2007 but damaged his knee cartilage and had an operation on it on 12th March. He played a couple of times in April 2007 but suffered further problems that required more surgery. The surgery was re-done but he never appeared for pre-season training at the start of the 2007/08 season. On 18th August 2007 he was in the Halstead Town squad for an F.A. Cup tie. Wivenhoe Town re-signed him on 7th December 2007. Towards the end of January 2008 he was transfer listed by the Essex club, and on 29th February he signed once again for AFC. He played until the end of the season then in June 2008 he signed for Brantham Athletic. On 1st November 2008 he was in the Harwich and Parkeston side that had just appointed Mark Morsley as manager. At the start of the 2009/10 season he remained with the Royal Oak club, however at the beginning of September 2009 he transferred to Needham Market. He played throughout the 2009/10 season winning promotion and remained with the club at the start of the 2010/11 season. On 1st November 2010 he was transferred to Leiston, but on 13th January 2011 he was placed on the transfer list by them. FC Clacton signed him on 4th February 2011 and he scored on his debut for them the next day. On 17th September 2011 he started his first game for Stanway Rovers. On 24th July 2012 he was wearing an FC Clacton shirt again in a pre-season game, and scored in the opening league game of the 2012/13 season for them. At the start of the 2013/14 season was playing for Harwich and Parkeston and was still there in May 2014. He was not with them at the start of the 2014/15 season but re-signed for them in February 2015 playing on 14th. On 11th April he had signed and played for Capel Plough scoring on his debut coming on as a substitute. November 2015 he was back playing for Harwich and Parkeston. On 21st July 2017 he played and scored for West Bergholt.

Apps 69 Subs 16 Goals 14
Updated 22/07/17

Paul Betson

A slightly built wide man ( b 29/05/75) who had previously been with Braintree Town, ‘Betsy’ signed at the start of 1999/2000 season and was a substitute in the club’s very first game. He was the winner of the First Team Manager’s Player of the Year 2000/01. He played consistently in seasons 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06. He was retained by the new manager at the start of season 2006/07, but on 20th October 2006 he was transfer listed when he was the club’s leading appearance maker. On 6th December 2006 he signed for Ipswich Wanderers and played throughout the 2006/07 season for them. He did not start the 2007/08 season with a club as he awaited a knee operation, which he had in October 2007. In November 2007 he was playing Sunday League football in Bury for Bennett Arms. At Christmas time 2007 he signed for Felixstowe and Walton United and was an unused substitute on Boxing Day. He was with them again at the start of the 2008/09 campaign, but on 24th November 2008 the club announced that he had left. He was reported to have joined Diss Town on 9th December 2008, but subsequently terms could not be agreed. In late February 2009 he signed for Newmarket Town and played for them on 28th. At the end of June 2009 it was announced that for the 2009/10 season he had signed on for Norwich United, however on 31st July 2009 he had a change of heart and remained with Newmarket Town. At the end of the 2009/10 season he won the Players Player of the Year award. The start of the 2010/11 season saw him playing for Lakenheath and he was still there at the end of the season. He continued with the West Suffolk club in 2011/12 and was playing for them in March 2012 at the age of thirty-seven. On 5th July Newmarket Town announced that for the 2012/13 season he has re-signed for them and he played for them winning promotion at the end of it. He continued to play for ‘The Jockeys’ in August 2103 and in May 2014 won the Thurlow Nunn League Cup with them. In the end of season awards he won The Player's Player Of the Year award. He was still with Newmarket Town in May 2015 when he celebrated his fortieth birthday The 2015/16 season saw him return playing a pre-season game on 14th July 2015. He was still with the Cricket Field club in December 2015. In the end of season awards he won the Clubman Of the Year award. On 26th July 2016 'The Jockeys' arranged a testimonial for him and he played in it against AFC on their new 3G pitch. He played throughout the 2016/17 season and on 1st May 2017 won a losers medal in the final of the Thurlow Nunn League Cup. On 17th June he had agreed to stay for the 2017/18 season and he stayed until 26th September when ‘The Jockeys’ announced he was leaving. On 27th September 2017 Lakenheath announced he had re-signed for them where he remained until the end of the season. On 27th June 2018 Diss Town announced he had signed for them for the 2018/19 season.

Apps 376 Subs 17 Goals 45
Updated 27/06/18

Ayrton Bevins

A forward (b 02/05/96) he signed on loan from the Cambridge United Academy on 19th December 2014 making his debut as a substitute the following day against Barkingside. He had previously been with the Stockport County Academy and joined Rotherham United in 2012 before joining Cambridge United. Earlier in the 2014/15 season he played two games for Bury Town. He remained with AFC for a month and on 18th January 2015 returned to his parent club. On 6th May 2015 he was released by the U's and joined Hyde United for the 2015/16 season scoring 21 goals in 44 appearances for them. He returned to 'The Tigers' for season 2016/17 and was there in March 2017.

Apps 2 Subs 1 Goals 0
Updated 12/06/17

Marcus Bier

A goalkeeper, who had played for Mark Morsley at Needham Market, was signed on 20th July 2006 as cover for the position. Some of his previous clubs included Bury Town, Sudbury Town Reserves and Stowmarket Town. He played a number of pre-season friendlies for AFC and was then loaned out to Mistley United in the Essex and Suffolk Border League. On 13th January 2007, Nathan Munson reported sick and with the Reserve keeper Barry Simpson injured, he was recalled and made his debut against Waltham Forest. At the start of the 2007/08 season he was still playing for Mistley United. He remained there in 2008/09, but was injured early on. On 21st March 2009 he made an appearance for Harwich and Parkeston due to an injury crisis, his first game for eighteen months.

Apps 1 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 11/09/12

John Bishop

Strong, tall central defender, he was previously with Sudbury Town, Braintree Town and Chelmsford City was signed on a cold night at Witham in December 2001. At the start of season 2003/04 ‘Bish’ was made vice-captain of the side. His last game for the club was the final of the Suffolk Premier Cup at Portman Road Ipswich on 21st May 2004 when he was Captain for the night. John returned to his roots of Essex Intermediate Football and signed for Sandon Royals for season 2004/05 and even scored in his first pre-season friendly. During season 2007/08 he was playing for Writtle Vets. He attended the Aaron Gardiner Memorial Dinner at AFC on 19th July 2014 and was still playing at Writtle Vets. On 26th July 2016 he attended Paul Betson's testimonial game at Newmarket and stated he would be continuing with Writtle Vets.

Apps 102 Subs 20 Goals 12
Updated 02/08/16

Wayne Blackman

A fast wide young player (b 17/11/97) he was in the Colchester United youth set up on a scholarship between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. He went to Colne College and played for them as well as Brightlingsea Regent. In the 2014/15 season he played for Suffolk U18’s and joined AFC playing for the reserve side. He made his competitive first team debut on the opening day of the 2015/16 season, 8th August 2015 coming on as a substitute. In late November 2015 he went on loan to FC Clacton playing a couple of games for them before returning to AFC. He remained with the club in April 2016 and returned at the start of the 2016/17 season. He started with the club, but in early October signed on dual registration terms with FC Clacton and played for them on 4th October. He played in the Senior Cup for AFC on 14th October 2016 and FC Clacton the next day. He returned to AFC and played first team as well as Under 21 football for the club until the end of the season. On 13th July 2017 Stanway Rovers announced that he had signed for them for the 2017/18 season and played for them on 7th May 2018. On 15th June 2018 they announvuhe would remain with them for the 2018/19 season.

Apps 28 Subs 4 Goals 0
Updated 15/06/18

Jordan Blackwell

A seventeen year old forward (b 10/09/96) when he signed for the Reserves/U21′s on 15th March 2014 from Stanway Rovers and scored on his debut the same day. He had been with Colchester United for a number of seasons. He had represented Essex FA at under 16′s level. He made his first team debut on 10th April 2014 at Redbridge as a substitute and scored his first goal away at VCD Athletic on 19th April 2014. He was selected to play for Suffolk FA on 16th September and three days later signed his first contract with the club lasting until the end of the 2014/15 season. On 1st June he announced he had agreed to stay with the club for the 2015/16 season, he also joined the AFC Academy. He played regularly and in the last week of January 2016 was invited to train with Ipswich Town for a week. He played throughout the season culminating in winning a Ryman North Championship medal at the end of it. In May 2016 he went on tour with the club's Academy to Philadelphia. On 18th May he signed a one-year extension to his contract with the club. He started the 2016/17 season with the club in July 2016, however on 5th September he went on a short term loan to Brightlingsea Regent to get some game time. He returned and played again for AFC on 4th October 2016 and in an injury hit season played until 24th March when he signed on loan for the remainder of the season with Stanway Rovers. He did return and play a couple of U21 games before the end of the season. On 13th May 2017 he announced he had left the club before on the 20th June signing for Stanway Rovers. He played for them on 7th May 2018 and remained until the end of the season (45 apps 17 gls). On 16th June 2018 he rejoined AFC for the 2018/19 season. The 2018/19 season was dogged by injury for Jordan and at the end of the season he left the club to rejoin Stanway Rovers.

Apps 152 Subs 23 Goals 19
Updated 03/08/19

Ollie Blackwell

A tall central defender (b 15/10/82), he started his career with Colchester United where he was their youth team captain, however he was released by them on 28th March 2002 when he joined Billericay Town and made his debut three days later. In March 2003 he was playing for Braintree Town. In August 2004 he was with Bishop’s Stortford from where he joined Maldon Town making his debut on 26th August 2006. A successful cricketer for Coggeshall he signed for AFC at the start of the 2008/09 season and went onto make fifty appearances. On 10th May 2009 he re-signed for the 2009/10 season, but was unavailable during the season due to work commitments. He was still playing cricket for Coggeshall in the summer of 2010. On 18th July 2015 he was still playing cricket for Coggeshall and played against Sudbury CC.

Apps 50 Subs 4 Goals 4
Updated 23/07/15

Louis Blake

A forward ( b 26/05/92 he was with AFC Croydon Athletic at the start of the 2013/14 season, August 2013 and where he stayed for a couple of seasons before in January 2016 going to Chipstead where he was in December 2016. He joined AFC on the eve of the 2017/18 season 11th August 2017 and made his debut the following day. He stayed until 17th October when he was released. On 10th January 2018 he was a player with Fairleigh Rovers.

Apps 12 Subs 1 Goals 3
Updated 10/01/18

Danny Bloomfield

Born 28/07/82, as a youngster he had trials with both Luton Town and Colchester United before joining Felixstowe and Walton United. When 18 years old the striker came on as substitute and scored in Norwich City Reserves’ 4-0 victory over Gillingham on 14th December 2000. He signed for Norwich City in January 2001 on a contract to last until the end of the season. He was offered a one year full-time contract on 10th May 2001. After the start of the 2001/02 season he joined Kings Lynn on a months loan in November 2001 and scored on his debut against Grantham. His stay was extended into December before it was decided he would return to Norwich and go out on loan to another Football League side. He played again for Norwich Reserves but in March 2002 he was released. He had trial games for Cambridge United, Southend United and Bournemouth and was invited back for pre-season training at the start of the 2002/03 season. He did however start pre-season with Cambridge United before going to train with Bournemouth, then returning to East Anglia to play for Cambridge City against Cambridge United. He signed a one year rolling contract with Bournemouth in August 2002. He went on loan to Cambridge City in mid October 2002 and signed permanently for them in November 2002 and stayed until the end of the 2003/04 season. He rejoined King’s Lynn on May 16th 2004 signing a two year deal with the then Dr Martens Eastern Division champions. There were rumours of a move on a number of occasions until on 2nd January 2006, he was finalising a transfer to Histon for an undisclosed five figure fee believed to be over £5000. This transfer was completed on 2nd February 2006 He transferred to Wivenhoe for a five figure sum in December 2006. He managed to score just once in twelve appearances for Wivenhoe before he returned to King’s Lynn in a surprise transfer at the beginning of March 2007 on a two year deal with the Linnets. After helping Lynn to the Southern League title, Danny found it hard to break into the Lynn team competing in the Conference South during 2008/9 and on 28th November 2008, he parted company with Lynn by mutual consent and signed for Cambridge City. On 5th March 2009 he left and signed for AFC until the end of the 2009/10 season. ‘Bloomers’ stayed with the club until 25th January 2010 when he was released and joined Lowestoft Town on a two year contract. He played for 'The Trawlermen' against AFC on 16th November 2010. On 23rd December 2010 he was released by mutual consent and signed for Wroxham. On 19th July 2011 he was playing for Needham Market and on 20th he was announced by them as having signed for the 2011/12 season. He played throughout the season and on 31st May the club stated he would be remaining for the 2012/13 season. On 16th October 2012 he was announced as becoming player/coach with ‘The Marketmen’. Needham announced on 22nd January 2013 that he wanted to prolong his playing career and put coaching on hold, and that a deal had been for him to join Hadleigh United. During the last week of March 2013 he left Hadleigh and returned to Needham to coach the academy and playing with them in the club’s reserve side. On 25th September 2013 he came on as a substitute in an FA Cup tie for the Bloomfields club. He was still playing with Needham Reserves in April 2014. On 25th May 2014 he had left and gone back to his original club Felixstowe and Walton United as Assistant First Team manager, but also with the intention of continuing his playing career. This lasted until 6th February 2015 when he resigned the position. He had suffered a knee injury and had not played as much as he wanted to and wanted to get fit and also concentrate on his business interests. However on 24th February he had re-joined AFC to bring some experience to the club's Res/U21's side. He continued into the 2015/15 season and was still there in April 2016. The 2016/17 season saw him back again and giving his experience to the young reserve team players. He however left midway through the season as his business interests expanded.

Apps 37 Subs 3 Goals 16
Updated 17/07/17

Gary Bloomfield

A tall central defender (b 17/05/77), he played in the Sudbury area from a young age and joined from Sudbury Athletic at the start of 2004/05 to play in the reserve side. He played a couple of Eastern Floodlight League games during that season, but left at the end of it, having won the Reserve Team Players Player of the Year. He joined Bures United and played for them in 2005/06. He then in 2006/07 went to Hadleigh United Reserves, but in October 2008 he was with Long Melford Reserves. At the start of the 2009/10 season he was playing for Wivenhoe Town Reserves and he was still there in October 2010. At the start of 2010/11 season he started playing for Wivenhoe Vets in the North Essex Vets League and was still with them in January 2013. He appeared for them again on 19th October 2013.

Apps 2 Subs 0 Goals 0
Updated 19/10/13

Stuart Boardley

Born in Ipswich on 14th February 1985, he joined Ipswich Town as a youth player, but he was involved in a car crash that hampered his progress and was released in May 2004, although he did play in a pre-season game in July 2004 at Barnet for an Ipswich Town X1. He joined Torquay United and made his debut for them in August of that year and made eight more appearances before being released. He returned to East Anglia and signed for Long Melford in the summer of 2005 before joining Leiston in November 2005. A midfielder he signed for AFC in June 2007 and made his league debut on 18th August 2007 he played throughout the 2007/08 season, but left at the end of it. ‘Boards’ re-signed for Leiston on a two year contract on 16th June 2008. At the end of the season he won three club awards. He remained with the Victory Road club at the start of the 2010/11 season and was there at the end of the season winning promotion on the way. At the start of the 2011/12 season 20th August 2011 he was still with Leiston and played throughout it winning promotion with them at the end of the season. In December 2012 he was still playing for Leiston and in the first week of April 2013 had signed an extension to his contract to stay with them until the end of the 2014/15 season. He played throughout the season, but on 17th April 2015 he announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season and the 25th April would be his last game for the club. On 18th May 2015 he announced that he would remain with them becoming the assistant manager and would continue playing also. He was still with the Victory Road club in April 2016. On 5th June 2016 he announced he would continue with them in 2016/17 in a player/coach role. He remained with them until 22nd March when he joined Felixstowe And Walton United, where he stayed until the end of the season. He stayed with 'The Seasiders for the 2017/18 season and played for them on 1st May 2018 as the side won promotion. They announced that he would be with them for the 2018/19 season on 1st June 2018.

Apps 50 Subs 0 Goals 9
Update 01/06/18

Craig Boon

A former Sudbury Town youth team player, he was with Sudbury Wanderers before the club was formed. He played regularly in goal for AFC Reserves and very occasionally for the first team when regular custodians were injured. ‘Booner’ was the Club’s Young Player of the Year in season 1999/00. Got injured in the Border League Cup Final of 2003/04 and at the start of season 2004/05 he did not sign for the club. He did not play for anyone in 2005/06 and was still not playing at the start of 2006/07. In June 2007 he had no intention of playing football again due to the injury to his knee. However he was playing cricket for Lavenham, and was still doing so in August 2009. He was still there in July 2010 and was again playing for them in August 2011. In September 2017 he was playing cricket for Sudbury CC.

Apps 3 Subs 9 Goals 0
Updated 06/09/17

Max Booth

A striker who came through the Needham Market Academy and while there attended both Ipswich Town and Colchester United for trails. He appeared for the Needham Market first team in 2016/17 and began the 2017/18 season with them. On 29th October 2017 he joined AFC on a month's loan, however on 27th November he was bought for an undisclosed fee and signed a two-year contract with the club. He was released from his contract during the 2018 summer break and began the 2018/19 season playing for Stanway Pegasus FC

Apps 19 Subs 4 Goals 2
Updated 27/10/2018

Ben Bowditch

A midfield player (b 19/02/84) he started his career at Tottenham Hotspur, then Colchester United (6 apps), Akademisk Boldklub (9 apps) (Copenhagen) before joining Barnet (8 apps). He has played for a number of non-league clubs, Yeading (6 apps), Cambridge City (36 apps 4 goals), St Albans City (11 apps) , Bishop’s Stortford and in season 2011/12 Thurrock (26 apps 3 goals) and latterly Concord Rangers. He has also represented England at Under 16 (21 caps), 17 (3 caps), 19 (7 caps) , and under 20 (5 caps) levels. He joined AFC on 16th August 2012 played seven games and then on 27th September joined AFC Hornchurch. He however returned to AFC at the start of December 2012 but on 19th February 2013 he was released. On March 1st he signed for Maldon and Tiptree and lost in the end of season play-off final. At the start of the 2013/14 season he had joined Potters Bar Town and remained with them throughout the season. On 19th August 2014 he was still there and captain of the side. He returned again for the 2015/16 season and was with them on 31st August 2015.

Apps 14 Subs 0 Goals 4
Updated 24/12/14

Ollie Bowles

A goalkeeper, (b 28/07/05) he joined AFC in July 2015 on a season long loan from Concord Rangers. Started his football with Brentwood School winning trophies in 2010. In October 2010 he played for Billericay Town Under 16’s and in September 2011 he was in their Capital League side. He joined Dagenham and Redbridge and played for their Under 18’s in April 2012 and for a D & R X1 in August 2012. He joined Concord Rangers and was loaned out to in August 2013 to Bowers and Pitsea and in September 2013 to Gt Wakering Rovers both sides being in the Essex Senior League. He continued to be part of Concord Rangers but spent the 2014/15 season on loan with Brentwood Town and in doing so played against AFC in the Ryman North play-off semi-final and denied them with two penalty save after extra-time. He went on to win promotion in the final and won the Young Player Of The Year Award. He played eighteen games kept four clean sheets and conceded thirty-three goals before on 16th October 2015 deciding to return to Concord Rangers. A few days later he signed again on dual registration, this time for Brightlingsea Regent. This continued until 6th January 2016 when he was recalled by Concord United to be loaned out again to Brentwood Town but he stayed to play for Brightlingsea on 9th January. He played for Brentwood through January and February, however on 29th February 2016 he was recalled and played again for his parent club Concord Rangers. He returned once again to Brentwood and was relegated with them at the end of the season. Still on the books of Concord, they agreed a season long loan for 2016/17 for him to return to Brightlingsea Regent. On 19th November 2016 he eventually made his league debut for Concord Rangers and then returned to Regent. On 8th December Brightlingsea announced that his loan had been terminated and he had returned to Concord Rangers permanently. He subsequently signed on loan for Thamesmead Town in the last week of January 2017 and played for them until the end of the 2016/17 season. On 14th June 2017 Concord announced that he had left them and signed permanently for Barking FC where he stayed until the end of the 2017/18 season.

Apps 18 Subs 1 Goals 0
Updated 07/05/18

Lee Boylan

A prolific goal scorer (b 02/09/78) he began his career with West Ham United in 1995 and rose from the youth team to play one game in the Premier League, as a substitute in the 1996/97 season. He went on loan to Kingstonian in 1998, and on return to West Ham was released in 1999. He had brief spells with Trelleborg in Sweden and with Exeter City, before re-joining Kingstonian on a permanent basis in 2000. He left in November 2000, and he had brief spells with both Hayes and Stevenage during the final months of the 2000/01 season. Ahead of the 2001/02 season he signed for Canvey Island in the Conference, playing 210 games and scoring 176 goals during his five-year stay. When they resigned from the Conference in 2006, he joined Grays Athletic on a one-year contract, but was later loaned to Chelmsford City. He joined Cambridge United just before the 2007/08 season and the club just missed on promotion to the Football League. He joined Stevenage in June 2008 and scored in their FA Trophy Final win at Wembley in May 2009. He was also part of the side that won promotion to the Football League the following season. Released by Stevenage in January 2011 he subsequently re-joined Chelmsford City in March of the same year. After just five appearances for Chelmsford, he signed for Thurrock for the rest of the 2010/11 season. He signed for AFC at the start of the 2012/13 season. His appearances were interrupted by injury but he still scored goals before being released on 27th December 2012. On 11th January 2013 Maldon and Tiptree announced that he had joined them and lost in the Ryman North play-off final with them. He was injured at the start of the 2013/14 season and was on the bench for the Essex club on 2nd November 2013. On 7th June 2014 Heybridge Swifts announced that he would be part of their first team coaching staff in season 2014/15 and also would be registered as a player. On 28th June Swifts stated he had been appointed first team coach, however on 17th September he had left the club due to work and family commitments.

Apps 17 Subs 0 Goals 10
Updated 18/09/14

Phil Boyland

He was a player with a number of clubs including Bury Town, Braintree Town and appeared in Sudbury Town’s F.A. Vase side of 1989. He went onto become manager at Braintree Town, Bury Town and Harwich & Parkeston before taking a backseat from football. When his son Pip went to Needham Market he went to watch but was eventually persuaded to become part of the management team. He came to AFC with manager Mark Morsley as his assistant at the start of the 2006/07 season. He decided to resign from his position at the end of the season and left the club. In October 2010 he continued to watch his son play and was employed as a customer relations manager with a Colchester car dealer. This continued throughout the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. He followed his son to Stanway Rovers and during the club's successful FA Vase run he did their scouting reports and at the end of the season 9th May was presented with an award to commemorate it.

Updated 10/05/15

Pip Boyland

A young defender (b 06/04/86) whose real name is Phillip, left Harwich and Parkeston during the 2003/04 season and went to play at Needham Market. There he played under AFC manager Mark Morsley. At the start of the 2006/07 season he came to AFC with his previous manager. He is the son of former Sudbury Town player and AFC assistant manager Phil Boyland. On 18th January 2007 he signed a contract extension until the end of the 2007/08 season. At the end of the 2006/07 season he was selected for a FA X1 but the notification came too late for him to play. At the end of the 2006/07 he was placed on the transfer list, he was then released from his contract and signed for Leiston at the start of August 2007. He played there throughout 2007/08, but on 1st July 2008 signed for Wivenhoe Town. It was announced on 22nd August that he had joined Harwich and Parkeston on a month’s loan. He was recalled back on 22nd September, but after a change of manager he re-joined Needham Market on 18th November 2008. In July 2009 he was still with the Bloomfields club and stayed with them throughout the season winning promotion. He signed once again for them at the start of the 2010/11 season and in November 2010 signed a contract with them until the end of the 2011/12 season. On 15th June 2011 he signed an extension to his contract for another year and was also named as the club’s vice-captain. He played throughout the 2011/12 season and won the Supporters Player of the Year Award at the end of it. He stayed with ‘The Marketmen’ for season 2012/13 and was appointed their captain, and again won the Supporters Player of the Year award. In May 2013 he announced he would be going travelling the world when the 2013/14 season started. On 12th July 2014 he was reported to be back and signed for Stanway Rovers and he captained the side during the 2014/15 season having a good run in the FA Vase and finishing third in the league. He was awarded the Supporters Player Of The Year Award on 8th May 2015. At the start of the 2015/16 season 8th August 2015 he was still with 'The Hawthorns' club and he played with them throughout the 2015/16 season. On 8th June 2016 the club announced he had agreed a deal to stay for the 2016/17 season. He played for them on 27th December 2016. On 23rd January 2017 he had left and signed for Brightlingsea Regent and at the end of the season won a Ryman North Championship Winners medal with them. On 30th May 2017 the club announced he would become player/coach for the 2017/18 season. During the season he was appointed the club's assistant manager, he remainec with them until the end of the season not playing due to a knee injury. On 29th May 2018 the club announced he would continue as player/assistant manager having had a cruitiate knee operation in April.

Apps 47 Subs 11 Goals 0
Updated 30/05/18

UP TO 07/05/18