Chesham United Pen Pics
Andy Leese (Manager): A UEFA B Pro-Licence Coach who is currently working towards his A
Licence. Andy was appointed Chesham manager in the summer of 2007 from Potters Bar
Town. During his time at Potters Bar Town he guided them to the 4th Qualifying Round of
the FA Cup, as well as saving the team from relegation the year before. Potters Bar also
collected the SSML Floodlit Trophy and the Hertfordshire Charity Cup during his short stint
at the helm. Andy started his management career at Somersett Ambury FC in the SSML in
2000, before leaving for Cheshunt in 2002. In 2003, Andy guided Cheshunt to the Ryman
Division 2 Championship, before leading them to promotion to the Ryman Premier League
the following season. Cheshunt also reached 4 cup finals in 2 years while Andy was
manager. Andy also spent brief spells at Boreham Wood and Wealdstone.
In Andy’s first season Chesham recovered from a slow start but missed out on the play-offs
on goal difference, and won the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup beating Wycombe Wanderers
3-0 in the final. In 2008/09 Chesham finished fifth but lost in the play-offs to Nuneaton
Town, before achieving promotion in the 2009/10 season beating Slough Town 4-0 in the
play-off final. Consolidation in the Southern Premier was the main aim in the 2010/11
season, but Chesham finished 6th in the league having been in the play-offs race for much of
the campaign. Since then Andy has led Chesham to the play-offs three times, including the
Play-Off Final in 2014 and to the FA Trophy Second Round in the 2012/13 season.
Jon Meakes (Assistant Manager): Jon has worked with Andy since joining Cheshunt in 2002,
also joining Chesham as Assistant Manager in 2007. Jon previously managed Potters Bar
Town and been assistant at Hertford Town. Jon was a centre-half in his playing career, and
had played for Northwood, Hertford Town, Dunstable and Potters Bar Town.
Shane Gore (Goalkeeper): Shane signed for Chesham in the summer of 2010, following his
release from Luton Town. Was rated in the top 4 Non-League keepers by the BBC NonLeague Show in 2009. Shane has also played for Havant & Waterlooville, Barnet and
Maidenhead United. Has twice won the Fans’ Player of the Season Award at Chesham
United, and has made over 250 appearances for the club.
George Legg (Goalkeeper): A young goalkeeper who joined Chesham on loan from Reading
for the start of the season. Legg earned his first professional contract at the Royals in the
summer having impressed in their under 18s team. Legg has also earned had work
experience spells at Dunstable Town and Hendon.
Laurie Stewart (Defender): Centre half who joined Chesham from Hitchin Town in the
summer of 2013. Was Hitchin Town’s Player of the Season for the 2011/12 season, having
joined from Harlow Town the previous summer. Laurie has also played for Ware, Cambridge
City and Bishops Stortford. Missed the whole of the 2014/15 season through injury.
Tommy Fletcher (Defender): Young defender who joined Chesham on a permanent deal
following his release by Wycombe Wanderers in the summer of 2015, having previously
played for Chesham on loan. He joined Wycombe as an 18-year-old in the summer of 2013,
following a successful trial period. Tommy began his career at Cheshunt in the Ryman
League.
Ashley Smith (Defender/Midfield): Ashley is a utility player who came to The Meadow from
Burnham in 2014. Ashley is able to play in a range of positions, including right back and right
midfield. Ashley also has experience of playing in Conference South with Maidenhead
United, having played in that league from 2007 to 2011. Previous clubs include Hampton &
Richmond Borough and Flackwell Heath.
Toby Little (Defender/Midfield): Toby is a left-sided player who re-joined the club in
September 2014 after a brief spell at Conference South side Wealdstone. Initially joined the
club from Basingstoke Town in October 2012, having previously played for Woking and
Hayes, and also represented England at College and University level.
Nick Beasant (Defender/Forward): A versatile player who joined Chesham in January 2015.
Nick is an experienced player in this league, having started out at Bedford Town, where he
scored 11 goals. Nick then moved on to play for Cambridge City, where he helped them to a
play-off position. Nick then played for Dunstable, before moving to Chesham.
Curtis Ujah (Defender): A strong and uncompromising defender who moved to Chesham in
the summer of 2015. Curtis is experienced in this level and the league above, being a key
player for a number of clubs. Curtis is best known for his spell at St Albans, but has also
played for Maidenhead United, Bishops Stortford, Boreham Wood, Hayes & Yeading United,
Weston-super-Mare, Tamworth, Yeovil Town, Crawley Town, Tonbridge Angels, Halesowen
Town and Hednesford Town.
George Fenton (Defender): A strong and rapidly improving defender who was the captain of
the reserves at the beginning of the 2014-15 season, before earning a place in the first XI
matchday squad, making 22 appearances. George was the captain of the under-18 team
that won their league in the 2010-11 season, then went away to University before coming
back to the club.
Liam Malone (Midfielder): Liam joined Chesham in September 2014 from Conference North
side Oxford City, where he had been a regular for a number of years after being released
from Northampton Town’s youth system. The 25-year-old, who had been captain at Court
Place Farm and made over 200 appearances, has also played for Hemel Hempstead Town
and North Leigh. Liam returned to the Meadow before the end of last season after a brief
spell with Slough Town.
Nathan Poulton (Midfielder): Nathan joined Chesham in October 2014 from Burnham,
where he had been club captain and scored seven goals from midfield. Nathan joined
Burnham in the summer of 2014 from Beaconsfield SYCOB, where he had been a
goalscoring midfielder in a successful side. Nathan has also had a spell at Flackwell Heath.
Dave Fotheringham (Midfielder): A former Chesham United youth player, Fotheringham
has notched up over 400 appearances for the club. Dave made his debut in 2002, but left in
2005 for Hemel Hempstead Town then Maidenhead United. Returned in the summer of
2007 and is a favourite with the Chesham supporters for his inexhaustible work rate.
Missed most of the 2014/15 season through injury.
David Pearce (Midfield): Dave joined Chesham on a permanent deal in November 2014
after a successful loan spell. Dave was previously at Hemel Hempstead Town, where he
scored 17 goals in the team that won the 2013/14 Southern Premier title. Joined Hemel
Hempstead in February 2011 following the demise of Windsor & Eton, and won numerous
awards in his time at Vauxhall Road including 3 individual awards in the 2011/12 season.
Dave had come through the youth set-up at Wycombe Wanderers, and had enjoyed a
successful loan period at Bracknell Town.
Bruce Wilson (Midfielder): Bruce is another player who returned to The Meadow in the
summer of 2015, having spent a year at St Neots Town. Bruce is able to play in a number of
positions across the pitch, and his versatility has been a great asset to Andy Leese in his time
at the club. Bruce initially joined the club in the summer of 2011, staying for three years and
being a regular in the Chesham team that narrowly missed out on promotion in the 2013/14
season. Bruce has also played for Hemel Hempstead Town and Windsor & Eton, where he
was part of the team that won the 2009-10 Southern League South & West Division.
Sam Youngs (Midfield): Sam returned to Chesham in the summer of 2015, having had a
short spell at the Meadow in the 2010/11 season. Sam is an energetic box-to-box central
midfielder who has enjoyed three spells at Rugby Town, making a significant impact in the
2012/13 season, scoring 12 goals from central midfield. Sam first played for Rugby Town in
2009, then joined Redditch United in the 2013/14 season before returning to Rugby. Other
clubs include Hemel Hempstead Town, Banbury United, Ware and Halesowen Town.
Brad Wadkins (Forward): A young and pacy forward who returned to The Meadow in the
summer of 2015. Wadkins was a key part of the Under-18 team that won the league in
2011. Was promoted to the first team squad making 46 appearances in the 2011/12 season.
Wadkins then moved onto Hendon before going to St Albans City, and scored 13 goals last
season for Aylesbury. Other clubs include Leverstock Green, Potters Bar Town and Chalfont
St Peter.
Matt Taylor (Midfield/Forward): Matt is another summer signing, joining from Conference
South side St Albans City where he made 12 appearances last season and 20 in the 2013/14
side that clinched promotion through the play-offs. Matt was a youth team product of St
Albans, Made his senior debut in the 2011/12 season having come through the youth team
at St Albans.
Barry Hayles (Forward): A well-travelled forward who joined Chesham as a player-coach in
2015. Barry will offer Chesham great experience and quality up front, having played in the
Premier League and earned ten caps for Jamaica. Hayles started his career at non-league
Stevenage Borough, where he impressed scoring 73 goals in 154 appearances. Hayles then
joined Bristol Rovers and was the top scorer in Division Two in the 1997/98 season. Hayles
then signed for Fulham and helped the Cottagers to two promotions. Hayles then played for
several Championship sides including Sheffield United, Millwall, Plymouth Argyle and
Leicester City. After dropping out of the full-time game Hayles twice helped Truro City to
promotions, including scoring 20 goals in the 2010/11 season. Has also played for Arlesey
Town and St Albans City.
Ryan Blake (Forward): A 24-year-old pacy and lively forward who joined Chesham in 2014
from Burnham. His previous clubs include Beaconsfield and Hemel Hempstead Town. Blake
impressed at The Meadow in his first season at The Meadow, bagging 21 goals and winning
several post-season awards.
Eman Rowe (Forward): 19 year old signed from Crawley Town on work experience last
season and returned to sign this season having been released. Quick and direct, another
player who has worked with Andy at youth level.