Welcome

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Colston Avenue for this Isthmian Premier fixture. I would especially like to welcome the officials, players, and fans of Hashtag United FC

Please can I remind you:

• We serve a selection of draft beers and real ale in our clubhouse.
• We serve a wide range of food from our matchday kitchens from midday.

I would like to wish both teams the best of luck in this important fixture.

Paul Dipre – Chairman

Match Officials

Team Officials

	Carshalton Athletic FC Peter Adeniyi
	Hashtag United FC Jay Saunders

Recent Clashes

25/01/2025		1-0
01/10/2024		0-1
10/02/2024		2-2

History

Carshalton Athletic FC 1906

Hashtag United

Initially created by YouTuber (& current co-chairman) Spencer Carmichael-Brown, Hashtag was created in
2016 as a team full of friends playing a charity match to honour a childhood friend. For the next 2 years Spencer &
the team participated in exhibition matches in a league format that took place across 7 different countries. Facing pro
football staff teams, fellow creators, brand teams, non-league & sunday sides, the views began to stream in as the
channel continued to grow. At the start of 2017, the Hashtag Academy was created. A series that whittled down
thousands of applicants to just one player through a variety of challenges until the final player was offered the chance
to play for the club. The first ever academy series proved to be a fruitful one, with the winner a 16 year old Scott
Pollock who would go on to be signed by Northampton Town a year later, and make his debut in the 2018/19 season.
Scott was scouted after impressing in the 3rd Wembley Cup final (2017); a unique one-off game that pitted YouTubers
up against each other alongside some retired pro footballers such as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, David James, and
Emile Hesky to name just a few. This was also the first of the Wembley Cup series that featured ‘Hashtag United’ as
they battled it out against ‘Tekkers Town’ captained by ‘The F2’.
Following the success of the Wembley Cups & the Hashtag Academy series, the club applied for entry into
the National League Pyramid, and were granted a place in the Eastern Senior League Division One South for the
2018/19 season. For this transition, a manager was required. Through his dad’s physiotherapy work in non-league,
Spencer had filmed content at East Thurrock United – which is where he met Jay Devereux. ‘Devs’ was appointed as
the First Team manager before the season began and he remains in charge today. Home games were played at
Haringey Borough’s ‘Coles Park’ that season, and it was a season to remember… After adding some non-league
experience to the original squad, the team finished the season as champions, ensuring promotion at the first time of
asking. Despite one or two changes to the side, the core of the squad remained for the next challenge: promotion to
Step 4, the Isthmian League. Further additions were made including the winner of the 2nd Academy Series, Josh
Osude, but the campaign was cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic, with the team sitting in 2nd with games in
hand over the league leaders.
A dramatic debut in the FA Cup in the 2020/21 season saw us reach the 2nd Round Qualifying, on the way
winning, at the time, the second longest penalty shoot out in FA Cup history (13-12) against Felixstowe & Walton, and
beating higher opposition Soham Town Rangers live on BBC. The run came to an end at the hands of Braintree Town
on penalties, after conceding a heartbreaking last minute equaliser, just moments after Toby Aromolaran thought he’d
won it. With the pandemic rumbling on in the background, the season was curtailed again in 2021. At the end of that
season however, the FA decided to implement promotions based on points-per-game across the 2 previously
interrupted seasons, meaning the Tags were promoted into the Isthmian League North Division.After the initial success of our launch off the pitch, the success on it continued to grow, with 2 promotions in
3 years. However, the whole club consisted of just one team. Being founded online, we hadn’t really started to put
down roots anywhere, but Spencer began discussions with local club Forest Glade, and their chairman Derrick
Pearson, to try and change that. Forest Glade was founded in 1992 by Derrick, and after agreeing to join the Hashtag
family, they brought over 40 youth teams with them to become a part of the wider club that is now co-chaired by
both club’s respective founders. The merger between those 2 clubs also involved a third party: ladies team AFC
Basildon. Following the increased coverage of the women’s game, Spencer put out a tweet expressing his interest in
getting involved with a team in the local area. Discussions with then club secretary Sean Eldridge took place, a
meeting was set-up, and the rest, as they say, is history! Since 2020 the team has been playing under the Hashtag
United umbrella in Tiers 4 and 3 of the FAWNL with impressive success: promotion to Tier 3 as champions in 22/23,
winning the FAWNL Cup against Saudi-backed Newcastle United in 23/24, as well as multiple county cup wins. As a
club now Hashtag United operates over 50 teams, covering women’s football, youth football, inclusive football, and
men’s football at a variety of levels with plenty of success.
Whilst on the topic of success, after finishing outside the play-offs during our men’s teams’ first season at
step 4; with the additions of content creator ‘PK Humble’, current club captain Max Cornhill & ex-Premier League
defender Greg Halford, we were prepared for a title charge in 22/23. A season-long battle ensued with AFC Sudbury
and after a run that included winning 21 games consecutively, we were promoted with one of the league’s best totals
of 98 points. During the Summer of 2023 the title-winning squad were rewarded with a trip to the States to compete
in the inaugural ‘TST’ and became fan favourites as we progressed to the knockout rounds unbeaten. There we faced
COMO, managed by Premier League & World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas, and including once £30m player Patrick
Cutrone. The Tags fought valiantly, and arguably should‘ve taken the win, but were beaten in Target Score Time,
sending us home.
The 23/24 season followed, our first in the Isthmian Premier division, just one level below the National
League set-up. Additions of Sak Hassan, from 22/23 league rivals AFC Sudbury, Ted Curd on loan from Chelsea, Sam
Cornish from Wingate & Finchley amongst others strengthened the core group and ensured a strong debut season at
the level. Devs’ side mounted a play-off push that was severely dented in a January that saw the tags win just 1 game
of 8, an away win at Chatham Town that sparked the beginning of a fierce rivalry on the pitch. The Tags would go on to
reach the Velocity Cup final against the Chats, but fall to a cruel defeat in the dying seconds of normal time. A 13th
place finish followed, and provided a strong foundation with which to build on for the following campaign. Another
showing at ‘TST’ ended with the squad losing to reigning champions Newtown Pride in the first knockout round,
though shortly after the club announced new signings a plenty, including non-league legend Sam Higgins, experienced
goalkeeper Jack Giddens, and former Arsenal youngster Josh Rusoke, to name but a few. Whilst Higgo’s tenure endedin October when he retired, ‘Gidds’ & ‘Sokes’ would become key members of a squad that pushed all the way until the
final month towards a play-off spot, but a poor start where the club was in 21st at one stage, would ultimately cost
the team a chance at promotion.
The Summer of 2025 would be an eventful one indeed. A fan-led investment raise was launched where fans
could purchase shares in the club, and in excess of a million pounds was raised. This is currently being re-invested
back into the club, with finally attaining our own stadium, as well as adding more full-time staff members, the
forefront of the targeted areas. Again, the team competed in North Carolina, but this time the strategy changed, and
we brought small sided players in from the UK, Spain, France, and the USA to add to the squad. Despite a strong,
unbeaten start in the group stages, the Tags were unable to break their knockout curse, with Premier League legend
Sergio Aguero doing the damage as his side won 4-2 in Target Score Time. The Summer tournaments didn’t stop this
year and both a men’s and women’s team flew to Singapore to participate in the Soccer 7s Series, competing against
the likes of Coventry City, QPR, and other teams from around the World, such as Persib and Shanghai Shenhua. Our
first time in Asia saw the men’s team lift silverware in the Shield competition, whilst our women were narrowly
beaten by eventual winners Shanghai Shenhua in the semi-finals. During their win against Singaporean side Eastern
Thunder, the new-look women’s team picked up a cash prize for their ‘worm’ celebration that was voted the best of the
tournament.
The 25/26 season has seen the club replace important players like Sak Hassan & Joshua Osude, who have
both moved up to full-time football, with an exciting mix of youthful talent like Praise Ogbebor and St Lucian
international Kegan Caull, as well as proven contributors at the level such as Jason Ring, Bradley Sach and Evans
Kouassi, a player that has consistently performed against us. Hopes are high and with Devs’ impressive record of
improvement every season, the fans will be hoping that this is the year the club can compete with those around them
for a shot at promotion. Who knows what the year has in store, but one thing is certain, it’ll be an entertaining one to
watch!

CAFC People

Chairman: Paul Dipre
Directors: Clare Dipre, Paul Williams, Kelly Riddel, Vicky Mannooch

Club Secretary: Bonnie Hare
General Manager: David Geddes
Match Day Tannoy: Gary Hollick
Admissions: Andy Rickman
Matchday Sec: Christian Kemble
Safety Officer: Clare Dipre
Programme: Christian Kemble
Media: Tom Higgs & Lin Bartley

Club Vice Presidents:
Phillip Payne, Steve Friend, Alan Walker, Kay Maynard, John Kistner, David Reilly, Martin Reilly, Peter Clews, Alec Griffin, Gary Smith, Alan Clarke, Peter Lebihan, Peter Robins, Marc Haskins, John Hillarby, Graham Skipp, Matt Hillarby

Matchday:
1st Team Manager: Peter Adeniyi
Coaches: Charlie Acres
Physio: Dave Feasey
Kit Manager: David Geddes
Matchday Safeguarding Officer: Andy Rickman

The Club is owned by Paul Dipre & Family by way of controlling interest

CAFC Snapshot

Surrey County FA
London FA
Pitching-In Isthmian League Premier Division
Isthmian Development League
The National League U19 Alliance
Isthmian Youth League
Surrey Youth League
Surrey County Women’s & Girl’s League
Epsom and Ewell League
Registration Number: 05316320

Contact details
War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue.
Carshalton. Surrey SM5 2PW
Tel: 020 8642 2551
Email: enquiries@carshaltonathletic.com
Web: www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk
TV: www.robins.tv
Twitter: @CarshaltonA_FC
Instagram: (Link to your Instagram profile)

The Robins Choir

Ground Rules

Colston Avenue Ground Rules

Carshalton Athletic is a FA Charter Standard Community Club.
We do our best to make every matchday or event as safe and enjoyable as we can for players, fans, customers and officials. We also respect the amenity of our neighbours.

To those ends we have ground rules that we respectfully ask visitors to the ground to abide by.

Approaching and leaving the ground and stadium

Please respect the amenity of neighbours surrounding the ground when arriving and leaving the ground. If driving please drive very slowly and carefully in the access road approaching the ground and in the car parks inside the ground. Please avoid making unnecessary noise in the surrounding roads on your journey to the ground, please save it all up in support of your team!

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in the stadium, regardless of size and nature. (Except guide dogs)

No Drums or clappers

Our operating licence prohibits the use of drums, clappers or musical instruments, they cannot be brought into the ground

Flags and Banners

There are plenty of places to hang flags and banners around the ground, but pleased don’t hang them over the pitch-side barriers where they cover advertising hoardings.

Bring Photo ID

Please bring photo ID. You may need it for purchasing alcohol. Seniors, U18s and all season ticket holders will need to show it at the turnstiles, no exceptions.

Challenge 25

If you are lucky enough to look under the age of 25, then you will need to show a driving license, passport or an id card bearing the PASS hologram. Staff will lose their jobs if they don’t adhere to the challenge 25 guidelines.

Video Filming

Any filming within the ground that is intended for publishing online must seek written permission before filming – except for the official videographers of opposition clubs who may film at the ground for the period beginning 2 hours before kickoff and ending two hours after kickoff. Other private or third party videographers must seek the clubs written permission prior to filming within the ground if the footage it to be published online.

Commercial Photography

Any filming within the ground that is intended for publishing online must seek written permission before filming – except for the official videographers of opposition clubs who may film at the ground for the period beginning 2 hours before kickoff and ending two hours after kickoff. Other private or third party videographers must seek the clubs written permission prior to filming within the ground if the footage it to be published online.

No foul language please

As a community club, many fans and customers are families with young children. Please help us to provide an environment suitable for the whole family.

Hospitality

Football on TV

Partners with Sky Sports & TNT Sports.

Every evening, every matchday, all the big games are showing on our big screens

Two viewing rooms – both with 75 inch LED screens, Dolby sound and fully stocked bars.

Matchday food

Gourmet Steak Burgers

Our steak burgers are fresh and from local sustainable suppliers – Scotts the Butchers.
Our Burgers are fresh, never frozen. Made with English Steak and cooked to perfection.
Our Buns are fresh, never frozen. Soft and squidgy.
Our Onions and fresh, never frozen. Slow-cooked for 4 hours and caramelised

WE DONT RIP YOU OFF – 1/4 POUNDER IS UNDER A FIVER

Chips

You wont find tastier chips anywhere.

Pies

We serve a range of meat and vegetable pies

Matchday food

Bean to Cup Coffee

Our coffee is freshly ground and brewed. Choose a cappuccino, latte, americano or flat white

Fully stocked free-house Bar

Choose from our wide selection of real ales, craft beers and a vast range of liquors.

Respect statement

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162). The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”

League sponsors