News & Views

Top Coaching Team Joins Cobham U23's

Former Step 3 and Step 4 Coaches appointed by Scott to Boost Team Ambitions for 2025
23 January 2025

Theo Scott was delighted to announce the appointment of Rob Scantlebury and Tony Cain to his management team in a major coup for the Club. After the promotion of UEFA B candidate and Assistant Manager, Merrin Tope-McManus to first team duties and the departure of the excellent Franco Marchionna to take up expanded coaching duties at the Club, it was essential that the team replaced such outstanding expertise. And this has been quickly achieved. Former Cheslea & Crystal Palace Youth Team Player and former Interim Manager of Step 3 Club Carshalton is the new Head Coach. He is joined by Tony Cain who coached at Tooting & Mitcham whilst they were a Step 4 Club . The double appointment comes at a crucial time with the team focussed on improving league performances and a crack at the League Shield. " I could not be more thrilled to have Rob and Tony on board and the players clearly are excited too. There is still so much to play for this season and all of us want to repeat last season cup success" added Manager Theo Scott.

Real Champions At Last !

After Months of waiting -the real trophy arrives for the Champions
3 October 2024

Suburban Premier League Fixtures Secretary, Tony King presents Manager Theo Scott with the real Suburban League Plate Final Winners Trophy which the team won in May 2024. The one presented at the final was a stand in as the official one was not available at the time. " Its been worth the wait as the League not only engraved the Trophy but it was lovely for Theo to receive it as he was out of the country for the final." said General Manager, Ewemade Orobator.

Cobham Crowned Champions

Last Kick of Injury Times U23s Astonishing Triumph
9 May 2024

With penalties looming, a last minute cross by Janiah Boyd and somehow squeezed ib by Toussaint, sealed the League Plate Final win over Central League Champions, Alton FC Reserves.

It was not possible to seal a more dramatic win but it was deserved. Cobham FC U23 were always in control of the match but that is not to say, Alton showed demonstrable confidence and classs as they often counter attacked. After just 4 minutes., Alton scored to go 1-0. However Cobham was not done and the mesmired Theo Walker forced a reck;ess challenge and a penalty awarded. Whilst the kick could have been ebtter, the save from Altons Keeper , kept the score at 1-0 to Alton. Soon after, Walker made another mesmering run that torn the Alton defence asunder. He crashed the ball into the roof of Altons net and it was 1-1 approaching 30 minutes.

Cobham needed the heroics of Kanu as he pulled of an incredible double save on the cusp of half time.

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With Walker ( still MOM) departing through sickness, Jevaney

Roberts came on and kept up the threat for Cobham. Yet the Alton Army stood firm and resolute and as much as Cobham huffed and puffed, the house was not coming down. With penalties imminent, Cobham broke away, Janiah Boyd crossed and a scrambled but all incredible bundled in effort by Toussaint dramatically sealed an anstoshing League Cup Plate Final win fro the jubuilant young hammers.

Whilst he was abroad and trusted team management to Assistant Manager, Merrin Tope-MaManus, Manager Theo Scott selected the starting X1. His total faith in young Walker cpuld not have been more proven. Rodella, the incredible Deighton, the resolute, Ruben Boyd all stood out amongst real heroes .

Manager Theo Scott in Jamaica, told his boys to "remember what it feels to be winners, as this i s the culture we will be buidling upon for next season".

Acting Manager for the evening , Merrin added: that the group should be so proud of what was achieved and that... hard works pays off. Winners win."

Under 23's Make Plate Final

MasterClass Blows Marlow Away
19 April 2024

The Under 23's threw league position and form away to defeat a shocked Northern Premier Suburban League Marlow ,2-0 to reach the final of the Plate League Cup. Asst Manager Tope-McManus added. "We were pretty confident that Marlow would look at our league postion and come to our ground underestimating us. We deserved the victory at every level. The Under 23's will play Alton Dev side in the Final on Thursday 9th May at Hartley Wintney ground. .

Scott Steps Into The Suburban

New Manager confident he can save Cobham Under 23 from Suburban League drop..
4 January 2024

Theo Scott is the new Manager of the Under 23 after now ex-Manager , Ewemade Orobator decided to re organise the management team to use Theo's outstanding ability to transform struggling teams into championship contending sides.

" I am not pessimistic and when asked to do this by Ewemade, I accepted because I knew in Merrin, now my Assistant Manager and also Jay who remains Head Coach, I have an excellent Management Team. And the quality of players is not an issue. We have to break the losing habit and stop conceding goals. " said Theo who was last involved as part of the management team that lifted Carshalton FC from the threat of relegation to mid table safety in 2017/18.

Ewemade will still be involved supporting the management team with all administration including player signings support and social media.

Cobham Exit At Semi Final Stage in Amsterdam Open

Cobham FC Exit The 2023 Amsterdam Open After Semi Final Defeat To Surrey Casuals

24 June 2023.

After sweeping through the Group Stage as unbeaten winners and without conceeding a goal , Cobham FC Reserves was eliminated from the 10th Amsterdam Open in the Semi Final Stage to fellow English side, Surrey Casuals. They went on to win the Tournament after beating Belgian side Uccle Stendhal in a penalty shoot out after a goaless final.

The team from Belguim was a free scoring side who in their last 175 games had scored 331 goals. However, they were no match for Cobham Reserves who won their opening match comfortably 3-0 with goals from Tunkara,Sbiti and Boone.

A Sierwierski strike was enough to defeat Old Parmiterians A 1-0 and thus secure a semi final spot .

Another strike by Boone secured a 1-0 clean sweep of the group vs Rosendale Sports but the side was rocked with injuries to Tunkara to add to the pre tournament opener loss of Simma who injured his knee in the warm up. Add to the loss of Keeper Kanu who was denied onward passage from France, it had been a tough route to the semis, literally for Cobham Reserves.

Surrey Casuals had emerged from their group vs Dutch and English opponents unscathed and were a familiar club to the Cobham Reserves with their rugged determined style. An early VERY controversial penalty from Cobhams view and a "video certainty" penalty from Casuals view point , meant a Cobham chase with the inevitable counter attack late on winner from Casuals to emerge 2-0 victors.

" I am very proud of the squad considering our longer than expected journey and dramas and the first time this squad had played together. It was a tough exit as we felt we could have and should have won the tournament but we will learn and emerge stronger from this bitter blow" added Tour Manager, Ewemade Orobator.

Arriverdici To Step 1 Tunkara !

Cobham FC Reserves 2022/23 Top Scorer Departs to Italy and Step 1 bound - US Palmese 1912

3 July 2023

After a season that ended prematurely in February in the UK for Usoman Tunkara but resulted in Cobham Reserves Amsterdam Open comeback in June, a full time contract, a new flat and scoring bonus awaits. The Italian Season starts in August 2023.

After back to back promotions, the high flying Italian side are moving up to Step 1 and their Award Winning Promotion Coach,Guiseppe Crucitti, is keen to make Usoman a key part of his plans.

U23 Manager , Ewemade Orobator stated " Usoman deserves this fantastic opportunity to return to the club that gave him his first taste of Serie Football. He leaves with our utmost best wishes and thanks."

Departing Usoman said " Thank you guys. It was a great experience to have played with such a talented group. I've learned and grown so much from each of you. "

Jones Makes His Mark

Head Coach & Club Captain reflects on the season ahead and his ambitions for the Club.

7 September 2023

I must start by saying a massive thank you to Ewemade, for allowing me to have this role within the club.

I came in at the start of last season solely as a player and could see how much young talent was in the team. By January I was taking training sessions and looking to pick out the finer details in players to help them find their next level.

I would say by achieving promotion I have for now succeeded in what I was looking to achieve with the player’s development. 3 players were sent to the first team and the in game contributions of those who stayed for the season grew and grew.

Having played at the level of Cobham’s First Team at 18, which is similar to the age of a majority of our players… it is nice to know they are keen to progress and develop within our environment and haven’t looked to force first team football elsewhere. I know how hungry I was at that age to do well and be in first team football, the boys are waiting their time and I really appreciate and respect that attitude in them.

I think that also shows that they believe in what we do as coaches and our ideas and thoughts for their futures as players. We have a great bunch of lads and I look forward to working with them more going into the Suburban Premier next season where I’m sure stern challenges await.

My own background in football comes in data analysis, having worked for OPTA I will look to use my knowledge and understanding of the finer details to help get our players to the best level they can possibly be at.

On behalf of all the management team we are very much looking forward to the season ahead.

Moving On Up

Progression Always The Aim

As Cobham FC continues to strive towards success, Assistant Manager Nathan Bryant-Scarlett emphasises the importance of making it to the first team as the ultimate goal for the players. With the likes of Lao Darinijo, Kallum Peart, and Joe Sbiti successfully making the transition last year, the message is clear that hard work and determination can pay off.

Bryant-Scarlett is proud of the progress the team has made so far and is hopeful that more players will follow in the footsteps of those who have already achieved this milestone. He believes that the team's success is not just limited to the first team, but also extends to the former Cobham FC Reserves who have players that are looking to progress to Step 3 and beyond.