Nick Cawley

First signed for club: August 2004
Age when first signed for club: 40
Position: Utility
Club appearances: 127
Goals: 19

Nick is without doubt one of the most skilful players to have played for the Calne Eagles.
Despite being 40 years old when he first signed Nick appeared regularly for the club for 6 years and played well over a 100 games in the process.

Nick always preferred to play as a striker and on his day he could be a real match winner in that position. When he was enjoying his football he could always find time on the ball and had the ability to pick out passes that many other players would never see. He was also a scorer of spectacular goals. Unfortunately, patchy form and long periods without scoring always proved to be a bit of a headache when Nick played up-front on a regular basis.

Undoubtedly, Nick’s best football for the club came when he played in either midfield or especially when he played in defence. With his great positional sense and technical quality, Nick made defending look easy. He had a superb spell at centre back in 2007 when we were short on defenders. Then in 2009-10 he once again filled in at the back, this time at left back. He ended up staying there all season, and along with Stu Windsor, he finished the season as one of the standout players in the team.

Ultimately the 2009-10 campaign turned out to be Nick’s last full season playing football and it is fitting that he signed off by winning his first player of the year award for the club.

Stu Field

First signed for club: August 2004
Age when first signed for club: 24
Position: Centre Back
Club appearances: 72
Goals: 14

Stu’s original role at the club was that of Taxi Driver for Danny Thompson! When he first appeared he hadn’t really played football since his school days in Kent. In fact, he only initially played for Calne Eagles because we were struggling to put together a team for our debut season.

However, it became instantly apparent that we had stumbled upon a superb player. Stu is comfortably the strongest headerer of ball that has ever played for the club and he was equally unforgiving in the tackle.

Stu made the odd cameo appearances in midfield and upfront but his totally laidback nature was always best suited for centre back. He won three player-of-the-year awards in his time with the club and finished the 2005/6 season as the club’s top goal scorer. This was due largely to his aerial ability from set-plays, combined equally with Danny Thompson’s deliveries.

Stu left the club at the end of our totally forgettable 2006/7 season, as he decided to focus purely on playing Sunday football for Red Lion (Lacock) formerly Audley FC , where he still plays today.

Darren Axford

First signed for club: October 2005
Age when first signed for club: 31
Position: Central Midfield
Club appearances: 63
Goals: 2

Darren joined the club in October 2005 and became a mainstay in the club’s midfield for the next three years. So much so, that his contribution during this time was rewarded with three player-of-the-year awards.

A real dedicated player, Darren loved playing the role of the team’s hardman, which most certainly added a real bite to our midfield. Indeed, sometimes Darren’s own enthusiasm and love of his wholehearted style, took away from the fact that he actually had an awful lot of guile. He had superb positional sense, knew how to avoid upsetting referees (most of the time!) and could also pass the ball much better than many gave him credit for.

On 20th September 2008 we played Westbury United “A” in a cup match. During the game Darren got caught late in a tackle, which unfortunately resulted in him sustaining ligament damage that he never sufficiently recovered from. However, perhaps the cruellest irony of all was that Darren’s last experience on a football pitch was to be shown a yellow card as he hobbled off in pain.

Tim Storer

First signed for club: July 2004
Age when first signed for club: 28
Position: Defence/Wingback
Club appearances: 55

Goals: 3

Tim has been chairman of the club since it was formed and he has always performed the role with distinction. However, on the playing side Tim effectively hung up his boots in 2007 when his hectic work and family life had to take precedence over playing football.

Tim was a regular member of the starting line-up during our first two seasons. This was due in large part to his superb mobility and ability to play on either side of the pitch, which made him valuable member of the squad.

Tim was probably at his best playing at fullback or as a man-marker, where his pace, bravery and defensive ability made him an incredibly tough competitor. Tim always had a slightly ungainly style of play that earned him the affectionate nickname from Danny Thompson of “crazy-legs” (maybe Danny was just jealous!!). However, Tim always had a very simple and effective style of passing that he often didn’t get enough credit for.

Tim still signs-on every season but his last performance was against FC Chippenham
in November 2009.

Stu Wootton

First signed for club: July 2004
Age when first signed for club: 37
Position: Defence
Club appearances: 52
Goals: 5

Stu was a regular fixture in the team during the club’s first two seasons. He was a calm and experienced defender, who was strong in the tackle, good in the air and had good distribution of the ball. He also had a good ratio of goals for a defender. He played a big part in the club twice securing respectable mid-table finishes during those first two seasons.

Stu gave up playing in 2006 in order to take up refereeing. He has since become one of the most respected referees in the local area, picking up awards from both the Trowbridge and Chippenham & District Leagues. He has become renowned as an unflappable ref who lets the game flow and can communicate well with players.

Danny Fennell

First signed for club: December 2004
Age when first signed for club: 17
Position: Defence/Midfield
Club appearances: 49
Goals: 1

Quiet, understated and uncompromisingly consistent, Danny joined the club in December 2004 from Bromham and became key figure in the squad for the next three seasons. He played in almost every position on the pitch and never let anyone down.

Despite being only 5ft 5 tall and of very slight build, Danny was most comfortable playing in central defence. He was a great foil for Stu Field and many of the team’s best performances stemmed from that defensive partnership. Unfortunately for us, Danny was a junior season ticket holder at Arsenal, which meant he was not always available to play week in, week out.

Danny left the club at the end of the 2006/7 season to rejoin Bromham. However, he showed the same level of dignity in handling his departure as he had during his whole time with the club.

Clive Fenwick

First signed for club: August 2004
Age when first signed for club: 47
Position: Central Midfield
Club appearances: 46
Goals: 4

Clive, along with Ian Coles, joined the club after responding to an advert seeking new players. Clive was 47 years old when he made his debut for the Eagles and he frequently defied his advancing years with his wholehearted performances in the centre of the pitch.

The arrival of Darren Axford in the 2005/6 season saw Clive fall down the pecking order for places. However, he was always a totally dedicated squad player and still put in many reliable performances when called upon.

Clive failed to break into the squad at the start of the 2006/07 season (perhaps somewhat unfairly) and he consequently decided to transfer to FC Chippenham in October 2006. He saw-out the season with his new club, before finally hanging up his boots.

Alphie Archer

First signed for club: August 2006
Age when first signed for club: 42
Position: Striker
Club appearances: 37
Goals: 22

Alphie, along with Shaun Jefferies, is comfortably one of the best goal poachers to play for the club. Indeed, his impressive goals tally would be even more remarkable if he hadn’t initially been seen as a left winger when he first signed. Furthermore, despite always being one the oldest players on the pitch, Alphie rarely showed his age. In fact, he was probably one of the quickest players at the club.
 
Outside the box Alphie’s game was always uncomplicated and efficient. Inside the box he had the uncanny knack of being the first player to every ball. He also had that necessary ability of not letting his head drop... He could miss an easy chance but still take the next one. There were also numerous games where he probably didn’t play particularly well but still managed to score!

Alphie managed Calne Under 18's during the 2009/10 season, but had to give up the post due to work commitments.

Ian Coles

First signed for club: July 2004
Age when first signed for club: 33
Position: Midfielder
Club appearances: 33
Goals: 9

Ian was club captain during our first season and along with Danny Thompson and Nick Cawley is one of the most one skilful players to have played for the club. He was also a tough competitor in the centre of the park, who was strong in the air and tough in the tackle. He scored some superb long distance goals in his time with us. Furthermore, he often proved in training that he was an unstoppable penalty taker, but ironically, we never once won a penalty while Ian was on the pitch.

Ian immigrated to Australia in November 2006 and his friendship has been missed just as much as his ability. He returned on holiday in April 2007 and played two games just to remind us how good he was.