In the first round of the Essex Senior Cup we have been drawn at home to Hullbridge Sports from the Essex Senior League.

The match is scheduled to be played during the second week of September. Please check back for details of the actual date.

An added incentive for us is that the winners of this tie have been drawn at home in the second round to FC Clacton. We remember being narrowly defeated by them in last year's KO Cup final.

The growing concerns sorrounding 1st team manger Jody Brown's immediate future have been confirmed.

Brown, who has been unable to attend any of pre-season so far, has now confirmed that he cannot give the level of commitment he feels is required for the job.

Brown, who alongside Chairman Jim Holder has been instrumental in the forging of partnerships with local schools and colleges, culminating in the formation of the so far very successful Halstead Town Academy, will continue to run the Academy whilst supporting the clubs staff where possible.

This move is currently deemed a temporary one, untill further notice. It is thought that Reserve team manger, Leon Woodford will take over in a caretaker role untill the long term future is clearer. This news will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Manager Jody Brown on his decision;

"I have been fighting a health condition for well over a year now, and i thought it was improving".

"However, it has been in decline for a month or so, to the point where i find managing as well as working with the Academy and supporting my family to much of a challenge"

"The club needs some stability and direction, and i currently cannot give that to them in terms of training sessions and match days"

"The Academy boys are flying, and could make their mark this year, however it is important that senior players that had made commitments to the club do not run away in its time of need"

In his time in charge, Brown has led the club to four major cup finals, and within goal difference of gaining promotion two out of three seasons. A number of good young players have been developed, and many have moved on to bigger things.

However, Jody hopes the current crop of talented youngsters will stick together;

"The season ahead was looking very bright, but my absence seems to have unsettled things, i sincerely hope that the players, staff, and supporters can get behind the club and its chairman to help pull us through this testing period"

"From my role within the Academy i will still be able to support whoever takes charge, but for the time being other people at the club will need to step up and take some responsibility"

Our new catering supremo, Matt Root, opened for business at Tuesday's game with Braintree and proved to be an instant success with his customers.

Top quality hot dogs and burgers will be on sale at all future games, together with chunky chips cooked as they should be.

Tea, coffee and cold drinks also available

Warning: can be addictive

Best Eaten Hungry!

With a number of last years squad venturing away from the club for pastures new, it has been reported that pacey wide man Ryan Sutton is due to return to the club following his departure back in November.

Sutton had scored 5 goals in 11 starts before his departure, and will be an excellent addition to the squad this time around.

"Looking at what we have managed to retain, I was concerned by the lack of raw pace, and potential goalscorers, Ryan can add that to the squad", said 1st team manager Jody Brown.

"I spoke with him, and he was keen to return, which is extremely pleasing"

• Tom Devaux was voted both Players, player & Supporters player of the year, along with the Managers player of the year award for 2009/10. This caps a fine 2nd year at the club for Tom, who played in 57 of the 58 games of this years gruelling schedule. Tom has now made 106 appearences in just 2 seasons.
  

• Reserve team awards went to Josh Palmer and Lewis Cunliffe, whilst Jordan Palmer, Danny Clements, and Ryan Debenham shared the various youth awards
• The Clubs Young Player of the Year was awarded to teenage midfield player Hyunjin Lee, whom played a major role in the 1st team, and scored a hat-trick in his 1 reserve team outing, whilst attracting interest from a number of clubs higher up the pyramid.

Consistent performer Seb Murfet has joined the list of those players that have chosen to remain at the club despite interest from other clubs.

Murfet, who can operate either at right or left back played himself into the hearts of the clubs loyal support, following a number of solid performances throughout the season when full backs at the club seemed to be jinxed by injury. He also proved his quality going forward with a couple of goals, including an outstanding winner against Saffron Walden Town.

The manager had pin-pointed Murfet as key to the rebuilding plans at the club;

"Seb is the type of player that can take the club forward, at the right speed, and without causing a great deal of fuss"

"He is as good as there is in is position at this level, and probably the next"

"I hope to see him play an even more influential role in the coming season"

Prolific Front player Ray Turner has made the move across Essex to rivals FC Clacton.

The move see's Turner reunited with his former Wivenhoe Town boss, Steve Pitt.

Turner managed just over 50 goals in his time with the club, averaging a goal every 1.5 games. Turner began his Halstead career with a bang, hammering 21 goals in his first 16 games for the club, something his new manager will be hoping to see repeated.

1st team manager Jody Brown admitted there was little he could do, and that he'd have loved to have kept the front man;

"Rays a good character, and i think he's ready to hit top form again"

"He worked hard the second half of last season, and id love to have him in our squad again this time around"

"However, the direction and priorities of the club are in transition at the moment, and it meant we were unable to match or even get close to the terms Clacton have offered Ray"

"I think Ray may well return to the club one day in some capacity, but for now he has to consider himself and his family, and Clacton suit that best"

"Im glad to have worked with Ray, he certainly dispelled any negative rumors that sometimes circulate, he's a quality centre forward, he's a team man, and a decent bloke - i wish him luck"

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Ray Turner made the following statement to the club and its supporters; -

Regretfully I am announcing my decision to leave Halstead Town FC.

My decision to leave has been a very difficult one, i truly am very fond of the club as a whole. The supporters are great and very supportive, the chairman Jim is a good man and has always treated me and my family with kindness. Everyone involved with the club are good people.

I have enjoyed playing for Jody the manager, he is a very passionate football man and has great knowledge of the game. You would have to go a long way to find a better manager in this area. I'd like to think that i have been a success with Halstead, scoring 51 goals in just under 2 seasons at the club, and one day in the future i would like to return to Halstead in some capacity, management has always interested me so you never know.