Edgeley Villa FC

Some more pictures of what was a superb day yesterday and showing that this really is a proper family club 💙.

And just like that… the curtain closes on another season for Edgeley Villa 💙⚽

The ABoC signed things off in fitting fashion this morning with a close, hard-fought battle between EVFC and the Management XI. It looked destined for penalties until the 90th minute when Rick Kelly popped up with the winner to seal a 1-0 victory for Villa 🏆

More than anything though, it was brilliant to see so many familiar faces back pulling on an Edgeley Villa shirt. Some lads who have shared dressing rooms, battles and memories with the club and management over many years all coming together again is exactly what this fixture is all about.

What followed afterwards at Our Ladies was a fantastic end-of-season day with food, music, a bouncy castle and the annual EVFC quiz — with Harry Norton and Callum Thompson coming out on top to win half-price sign on for next season 👏

Then onto the awards…
💙 The Harry Thompson Clubman of the year - Jacob Iles
🏅 ABoC Man of the Match – Cam Caulfield
🥄 Joao Teixeira Wooden Spoon – Matthew Aked
🚀 Goal of the Season – Phil Dalton (vs Mountfield)
⚽ Top Goal Contributor – Tom Hannan
🌟 Breakthrough Player – Enoch Williams
🤝 Players’ Player – James Vickers
🏆 Managers’ Player of the Year – Tom Hannan

A huge thank you also goes to Emma and everybody at Our Lady & Apostles for everything they’ve done for us this season. From supporting us after games to helping make today such a success — we genuinely appreciate everything you do for the club.

Today also saw two new additions welcomed into the EVFC family… Teddy and Tilly 💙

As for now, we’ll take a short break before attention turns towards next season.

Finally, from myself personally, thank you to absolutely everybody who has played their part this year — players, supporters, referees, the league, opposition teams and everybody connected to grassroots football. Without all of those people, clubs like ours simply wouldn’t exist.

And special thanks from me to the people alongside me behind the scenes…

Julie — my wife, treasurer, club photographer and about 50 other roles rolled into one.
Harry Thompson — genuinely the best secretary in the league and somebody I’m privileged to call a friend.
Tommy T — our chairman, who I’ll never stop acknowledging because without him this club would never have restarted.
And finally Liam Hudson and James Vickers — my assistant and coach — who have done so much to keep me going throughout the season.

Thank you to you all.

With that… the EVFC 25/26 season is officially over.

We’ll see you all on the other side 💙

Gaffer,
Matthew Thorburn

Programme ready #20

"Chat gpt produce a short predicted match report ahead of sundays aboc game"

Chatgpt -

Just when many thought youth and sharpness would carry Edgeley Villa FC to victory, the experienced heads of the Management XI rolled back the years in spectacular fashion to claim a memorable 3-1 win in this year’s ABOC clash at Stockport Sports Village. Played under bright Sunday morning skies with a 10:45am kick-off, the occasion had everything — goals, crunching tackles, banter, and a proper grassroots football atmosphere as Villa lined up in their new claret strip against a determined Management XI side in blue.

Once the early nerves settled, the Management XI began to show exactly why experience still counts for plenty. Edgeley Villa started brightly and moved the ball well, but the management side stayed compact and dangerous on the break. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Mark Douglas arrived perfectly at the back post to fire home and send the Management XI supporters into wild celebrations. Villa responded with pressure of their own but found chances difficult to convert against a stubborn defence.

Right before half-time the Management XI struck again, and it was fitting that club goalscoring legend Chris Caiger got himself on the scoresheet. After a scrappy spell in the box, the ball fell kindly to the veteran striker who made no mistake from close range, doubling the advantage and reminding everyone exactly why he remains one of the most feared finishers associated with the club. Edgeley Villa pulled one back shortly after the break to give themselves hope and briefly swung momentum back in their favour.

Despite Villa’s resurgence, the Management XI refused to fold and continued battling for every loose ball. The game was finally put beyond doubt when James Vickers capped off a tireless performance with a composed finish late on, sealing a deserved 3-1 victory and sparking jubilant scenes on the touchline. The experienced side managed the closing stages brilliantly, frustrating Villa and soaking up late pressure with clever game management.

Years may have passed since some of the Management XI players were in their peak condition, but nobody could question the heart, togetherness, and competitive spirit shown throughout the morning. From first whistle to last, the ABOC once again delivered exactly what it promised — friendship temporarily suspended, pride on the line, and a brilliant advert for grassroots football. While Edgeley Villa will no doubt be desperate for revenge next year, the bragging rights for now firmly belong to the Management XI.

Celebrations continued long after full-time as the trophy was lifted in front of players, families, and supporters following another unforgettable ABOC day. With goals from Mark Douglas, Chris Caiger, and James Vickers proving decisive, this latest chapter in the rivalry will live long in the memory — especially for the victorious Management XI, who earned the right to call themselves 2026 ABOC champions.

🚨 THIS SUNDAY – ABOC TROPHY🚨
📍 Stockport Sports Village

Management XI vs Edgeley Villa 💙⚔️

This one isn’t just a game… it’s got that “people will be talking about it after” feel already 👀

Villa turn up as Villa do organised, sharp, no-nonsense.
Management XI turn up with a few familiar faces, a bit of history… and apparently a few surprises they’re not shouting about just yet 😏

And that’s where it gets interesting.

💬 We want YOUR take before kick-off:

🏆 Who’s your MOTM shout BEFORE a ball is kicked?
⚔️ What’s the ONE battle that decides this game? (don’t say “midfield” and be boring 😅)
🔥 Which player has the most to prove on Sunday?
👀 And most importantly… who’s going to be the one everyone’s talking about on Monday morning?

There’s already whispers flying around about certain decisions in that Management XI camp… but we’ll let people fill in the blanks themselves 😏

👇 Get your predictions in… and let’s see who really knows their football.

https://youtu.be/YVkUvmDQ3HY?si=PN6y9wRAuHeUKS1P

EminemVEVO 16M likes, 465K comments. "Eminem - Without Me (Official Music Video)"

Finally the last game of the season against 1883 Stockport... been the hardest and most frustrating season I've ever been involved in and today's no different 3 pull outs left with a bare 11....but credit to the few lads who have been available most the season and pulled on a shirt most weeks to keep this club going..we will regroup and look to have a massive rebuild in the summer and go again next season.