Dippy Delivers at the Death ....15/03/2026

Premier Division

Holbrook Hornets 2, Taverners Res.3

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Watson, Jordan W, Fulker, Careswell(Burgess), Blagg(Nestor), Monaghan G, Turner(Bowman), Bowen, Pasque(Strutt), Jacobs R.

Goals: Bowman, Pasque, Turner.


NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 22nd March

Reserves - Division 3 - Landguard Rovers(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Early Mistakes Lead To Galaxy Win ....08/03/2026

Premier Division

Ipswich Galaxy 7, Taverners 0

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Siggers, Watson, Jordan W(Herridge), Monaghan G, Larkins, Nestor(Burgess), Bowman, Bowen, Hawkins(Gleed B), Jacobs R, Pullen.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 15th March

Reserves - Division 3 - Holrook Hornets(A) - Ipswich Hospital School

Stozza Hat-Trick Helps First Team Prevail over Portman Rovers....22/02/2026

Premier Division

Portman Rovers 2, Taverners 4

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Careswell, Fulker, Fitch, Larkins, Primus, Storey, Bowen, Jordan W(Herridge), Blagden, Pullen(Gleed B).

Goals: Blagden, Storey(3)


NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 8th March

First Team - Premier Division - Ipswich Galaxy(A) - Bourne Vale

Cup Runs End....15/02/2026

Senior Cup 2

Borussia Martlesham 2, Taverners 1

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Pullen, Ford V, Fulker, Fitch, Larkins, Primus, Storey, Turner(Gleed B.), Monaghan G., Tournay Godfrey, Primus.

Goals: Storey




Junior Cup 2

FC Clapgate Lane 6, Taverners Res. 3

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Burgess, Jordan W, Bowman, Careswell, Bowen, Blagg, Nestor, Pasque, Jacobs R.(Strutt), O'brien.

Goals: Jacobs R., Watson.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 22nd February

First Team - Premier Division - Portman Rovers(A) - Whitton Sports Centre

First Team Share Spoils with Gardeners Arms....25/01/26

Premier Division

Taverners Res. 2, Gardeners Arms 2

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Durrell, Fulker, Mongahan G., Careswell, Watson, Turner, Lambert Ja., Nestor, Pullen, Jacobs R. .

Goals: Jacobs R., Lamberta Ja..


NEXT GAME:

Sunday 8th February

Reserves - Division Three- AFC Chilton(A) - Chilton Fields Sports Centre, Stowmarket.

Reserves Hang On To Complete "Giant Killing"....18/01/26

League Junior Cup - Rnd1

Taverners Res. 4, Playford 3

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Durrell, Fulker, Fitch, Careswell(Burgess), Watson, Bowman(Gleed B.), Bowen, Blagg(Nestor), Turner, Jacobs R. .

Goals: Burgess, Fitch, Jacobs R., Turner.


NEXT GAME:

Sunday 25th January

First Team - Premier Division - Garderners Arms(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Reserves Rescue Point in Festive Fightback....14/12/25

Division 3

Taverners Res. 3, Clapgate Lane 3

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Fisk(Gleed B.), Burton(Burgess), Fitch, Careswell, Pasque, Jordan W, Bowman, Bowen, Blagg(Nestor), Jacobs R.(Herridge).

Goals: Burgess, Jacobs R., Jordan W..


NEXT GAME:

Sunday 4th January

First Team - Premier Division - The Golden Hind(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Gallant First Team Fight Against Swan....07/12/25

Premier Division

Holbrook Swan 4, Taverners 0

A once again depleted squad meant that the Reserve's game had to be cancelled this week, with all available willing bodies travelling to Holbrook to take on 'The Swan'. After a competent and combative start, Interspersed with some nice passing passages of play between Wayne, Ross, Will Nestor and Dippy, The Fates began to conspire against us, as first Will Pullen, then Leo Watson, were forced to limp off with muscular injuries, with Fisky and Ben Gleed getting earlier than expected 'minutes' from the bench.

Swan took the lead soon after, with a shot from the edge of the area that deflected past Dan Logan-Smith in goal. They added a second before half-time from another shot from the edge of the area.

With words of encouragement at half-time from 'New' signing Daren Stevens, we began the second half believing that we could recover the two goal deficit and make a game of it. Alas, a well taken third goal from Swan dampened our confidence, and the game became a 'backs to the wall' damage limitation exercise with lone runner Panda up front seeing very little of the ball. The score remained at 3-0 for some time, due in no small part to heroic defensive displays from Fisky, Duck, Fitchy and Larks, with Dan Logan-Smith performing some impressive shot blocking behind them.

The last 'kick' of the game assisted the last goal of the game as header from a Swan corner made the final result 4-0 to The Swan.

The whole squad present deserves a mention, as they could quite easily have dropped their heads and capitulated to an embarrassing defeat, but they didn't. Every person put in 'a shift' to ensure that not only could the game go ahead, but to also come out of the game with some pride.

This game came at a difficult time for the club, with limited availabilities affecting our ability to fulfil our fixtures. The committee are aware and are working behind the scenes to improve the situation. Your continued support is appreciated!

Next week sees the Reserves taking on AFC Clapgate Lane at 'The Vale' in the last game before Christmas. As is the custom, there will be Sausage and Chips available in the Club House afterwards, with Footy on the TellyBox. Seasonal attire is encouraged!

UP THE TAVS!!!

Team: Logan-Smith, Watson(Fisk), Careswell, Fitch, Larkins, Turner, Pullen(Gleed B.(Burgess)), Jordan W, Bowman(Stevens D), Nestor, Jacobs R..

NEXT GAME:

Sunday 14th December

Reserves - Division 3 - FC Clapgate Lane(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

First Team Succumb to Shotley on Sunny Sunday....30/11/25

Premier Division

Shotley Rose 4, Taverners 2

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Burton, Pullen, Fulker, Fitch, Larkins(Burgess), Primus(Pearce), Baldry, Turner, Blagden, Tournay Godfrey, Storey

Goals: Blagden, Pullen


NEXT GAME:

Sunday 7th December

First Team - Premier Division - Holbrook Swan(A) - Reade Field, Holbrook

Reserves - Division 3 - Royal Bengals(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Real Suffolk Score Six on Soggy Sunday against First Team....23/11/25

Premier Division

Real Suffolk 6, Taverners 0

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Burton(Jordan), Watson, Fulker, Ford V., Durrell(Bowman), Soanes, Monaghan G., Turner, Jacobs R., Nestor(Blagg(Burgess)), Pullen.

NEXT GAME:

Sunday 30th November

First Team - Premier Division - Shotley Rose(A) - Rose Playing Field, Shotley

No Points....16/11/25/25

Premier Division

Bourne Vale 2, Taverners 0

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Pullen, Blagden, Fulker, Fitch, Larkins, Primus, Storey, Turner, Monaghan G., Tournay Godfrey, Pearce(Hollinsworth).

Goals: Tournay Godfrey, Turner




Division 3

Ipswich Eagles 4, Taverners Res. 2

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Watson, Jordan(Blagg), Careswell, Burgess, Burton, Bowen, Bowman, Nestor, Pasque(Fisk), Jacobs R..

Goals: Jacobs R., Watson.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 23rd November

First Team - Premier Division - Real Suffolk(A) - Trimley Sports and Social Club

Reserves - Division 3 - Northam Celtic(A) - Gainsborough Sports Centre

Rememberance Day Double "Dub"....09/11/25/25

Premier Division

Taverners 2, Ipswich Galaxy 1

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Burrup, Pullen, Fulker, Fitch, Larkins, Primus, Hunt, Turner, Baldry, Tournay Godfrey, Monaghan G..

Goals: Tournay Godfrey, Turner




Division 3

Taverners Res. 1, Gardeners Arms Res. 0

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Ripper, Jordan, Careswell, Burgess(Fisk), Watson, Bowen, Bowman(Strutt), Nestor, Pasque, Jacobs R..

Goals: Pasque.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 16th November

First Team - Premier Division - Bourne Vale Utd(A) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Reserves - Division 3 - Ipswich Eagles(A) - Gainsborough Sports Centre

Reserves Fire in Five....02/11/25/25

Premier Division

Gardeners Arms 3, Taverners 0

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Pullen, Watson, Fulker, Fitch, Larkins, Nestor, Burrup, Blagden, Jordan, Baldry, Strutt (Fisk).

Division 3

Taverners Res. 5, AFC Chilton 2

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Ripper, Durrell, Hudson, Burgess, Careswell, Bowen, Bowman, O'brien(Herridge(Gleed B.)), Pasque, Jacobs R..

Goals: Bowen(2), Bowman, Jacobs R.,Pasque.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 9th November

First Team - Premier Division - Ipswich Galaxy(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Reserves - Division 3 - Gardeners Arms Res.(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Honours Even with Needham For Reserves....26/10/25

Division 3

Taverners 1, Needham Market Phoenix 1

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Ripper, Hudson, Durrell, Careswell(Monaghan G.), Bowman, Watson, Bowen, Jacobs R.(Strutt), O'brien(Blagg), Pasque

Goals: O'brien

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 2nd November

First Team - Premier Division - Gardeners Arms - King George V

Reserves - Division 3 - AFC Chilton - Bourne Vale Sports Club.

Call-Offs Cost First Team in Cup....19/10/25

SFA - Sunday Cup Rnd2

Bedfield 1, Taverners 0

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Burton, Fitch, Watson, Careswell, Turner(Nestor), Primus, Jacobs R., Pullen, Storey, Wandira

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 26th October

Reserves - Division 3 - Bourne Vale Sports Club.

First Team Fight Back Secures Point!....12/10/25

Premier Division

Golden Hind 4, Taverners 4

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Pullen, Ford L., Fulker, Fitch, Larkins, Turner, Ford V., Blagden, Primus, Baldry, Lambert Ja..

Goals: Blagden, Ford L., Primus, Turner.

Division 3

Landguard Rovers 0, Taverners Res. 1

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Ripper, Jordan W., Hudson, Careswell, Watson(Fisk), Bowman, Burton, Pasque, Nestor(Gleed B.), Blagg(Strutt).

Goals: Pasque.

Booking: Fisk

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 9th October

First Team - SFA Sunday Cup Rnd2- Bedfield(A) - THE SPORTS FIELD LONG GREEN, BEDFIELD, Suffolk IP13 7JE.

Reserves - SFA Sunday Trophy Rnd2 - Whitton Sports Centre (Pitch C).

Reserves Through to Next Round of Sunday Trophy! ...21/09/25

SFA Sunday Trophy - 1st Rnd

Landguard Rovers 1, Taverners Res. 5

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Watson, Jordan W., Durrell, Careswell, Bowman(Southgate), Strutt(Wessels), Nestor(Gleed B.), Fulker, Turner, Blagg.

Goals: Fulker, Strutt, Turner(2), OG.

Bookings: Larkins, Turner, Wessels.

Fantastic First Team Fighting Feat against Familiar Foe! ...14/09/25

Premier Division

Taverners 3, Shotley Rose 2

Some people do not like match reports that report more than match facts, but it would be a gross injustice to just report on this game as an ordinary game. It was very far from that!

Most of you will know that some people have been here at Taverners from the very beginning. 1967. Ask yourself this. Is there another club in Suffolk that has the history of Taverners? In 1991, I was brought to this club by my good friend Paul Ryan. Like all of you, I had spent years playing football on a Sunday with my friends and family. Not a single club lasted for more than a few seasons. In all this time, many of us have been involved in some amazing games. But a game like we witnessed on Sunday is very rare. So let me introduce you to a wall of fame.

Starting with just nine players, and one of those being a 66-year-old Centre Forward. There would not be many people who would give us a cat in hell's chance of getting a result. But unlike most people, we saw this as a challenge. We saw this as 10 players fighting for each other.

Shotley came forward with some freedom due to our preparation for the onslaught. Jimmy Fulker and Jerome Primus marshalled the centre of defence with Jack Larkins and new signing Josh Hunt coping with everything down the flanks.

It made a big difference to the midfield when Paul Strutt arrived from the Reserves to join George Baldry to take us to ten players. We had players playing out of position, but it did not seem to matter. Everyone adapted to the position we needed them to play.

Shotley took the lead early in the half after a fierce shot was parried and the striker followed up to tap in the rebound.

But from this point, Shotley seemed to sit back playing four across the back with just one up front. This gave us space to play out from the back.

The second half continued in the same way, but we started to find a way through.

We equalised through Tewanda Wandira when he worked himself free in the 18-yard box and his fierce shot beat the keeper to the far post.

Obviously, Shotley had a lot of the play, but in doing this, they left spaces which we could profit from. And we took the lead when Jack Lambert went through. His shot was saved, but he got to the rebound and found T Wandira in the box to score.

Shotley came at us, but everything they did was met by the immovable force of our midfield and defence.

A quote from Scott Parker I heard on TV. He said, "Today we had to go to places that most human beings never have to go".

The amount of ground covered by our players was insane. It must be said that T Wandira and Jack Lambert never stopped running. But that does not detract from what every single player did during the 90 minutes.

Shotley equalised when we failed to clear a ball from a corner. It was probably the time when 99 per cent of teams would have accepted that this was a good result and just played out the remaining few minutes.

Shotley threw everything forward to get a winner. But in doing so, they left us opportunities to break out. Chances came our way. Shotley rained in crosses to our 18-yard box. A shot from 20 yards looked certain to hit the top corner, but Will Pullen pulled off an incredible one-handed diving save.

With just minutes to go, we again broke free. Jack Lambert's fierce shot from the corner of the 18-yard box could not be held by the keeper; even though he got both hands to it, he fumbled the ball into the goal.

The last few minutes were intense. Players were injured and tired, but still never stopped. The final whistle seemed to take forever.

Any game in any circumstance is not lost until you actually believe it is. Today, we never believed it was lost. We deserved this result, and everyone involved should be proud of what they achieved.

Team: Pullen, Baldry, Fulker, Larkins, Lambert Ja., Strutt, Hollinsworth, Primus, Hunt, Wandira.

Goals: Lambert Ja., Wandira(2).

Booking: Larkins.




Division 3

Clapgate Lane 6, Taverners Res. 2

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Team: Logan-Smith, Palmer, Jordan W., Burton, Burgess, Careswell, Watson, Nestor, Cunningham, Gleed B., Blagg.

Goals: Gleed B., Nestor.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 21st September

Reserves - SFA Sunday Trophy - Landguard Rovers(A) - Eastward Ho!

Frustrating Start to Season...07/09/25

Premier Division

Taverners 2, Real Suffolk 2

For 75 minutes, Real Suffolk never really caused us any problems at all. From the sideline, you know that the only way they can recover is if we make mistakes. We have all been here before, but it never gets any easier to accept a result you just did not deserve.

We took the lead midway through the first half. A beautiful worked goal down our right-hand side involving. Joe Thompson, James Storey and Tewanda Wandira. T drove into the box and his pass to the penalty spot found Jerome Primus, who slotted the ball home.

The back four of Joe Thompson, Jimmy Fulker, Grant Monaghan and Jack Larkins were unbeatable. Our midfield found freedom and controlled play. We fought for every ball, giving Real Suffolk no space to create any problems.

Another clear goal was ruled to have not crossed the line during a goalmouth scrabble. The ball did cross the line twice. Confirmed by both teams later.

At half-time and we knew we just had to continue to concentrate and maintain our game and shape. Our only mistake was not taking a few of the chances which fell our way.

The second half started the same, although Real Suffolk did make some headway. We still had control of the game. We went further ahead when a cross from Joe Thompson was met by Will Pullen to head home.

This is Sunday football. We do this because we love the game.

Every member of the squad is part of this team, so it is important to involve everyone.

However, the changes disrupted the shape of the team. It is not the fault of any one person. If we had made no changes, then it is probably true to say we would have won the game. But that is not Taverners.

Lessons learnt about ensuring any changes fit into the dynamic of the game. Two forced changes did have a big effect.

Real Suffolk scored with a low shot from 18 yards, which should have been blocked. With just five minutes to go, they scored again from a mistake on our right.

We changed the lineup again to stop these problems and took main control again, but we were now forcing the play quicker to recover in the little time remaining.

With just two minutes left, we were awarded a penalty, which looked like it would save the day, but the kick was shot wide of the right-hand post. Other chances came. Tewanda Wandira hit the crossbar with a fierce shot from twenty yards. On another day, that would have flown in.

But it just was not to be.

We can all be annoyed with ourselves or others. I have seen players beat themselves up for mistakes they made, and managers who would not even talk to anyone.

The ex-Ipswich and England player Paul Mariner was inconsolable after playing up front for a Sunday team I played for because he missed two chances in the game.

I refused to ever take another penalty after missing a penalty. It still haunts me. But I had spent 20years being the penalty taker, and one miss should not take away all those that were scored.

This result is not a bad result. Real Suffolk will win games easily this season. All we need to do is learn from this, and next time we play them, we do not let them off the hook.

For those who are too young to remember him

Team: Burton, Thompson, Mongahan G., Fulker, Larkins, Lambert Ja., Baldry, Primus, Storey, Wandira, Soanes. Subs (used): Fitch, Ford L., Ford V., Pullen.

Goals: Primus, Pullen.




Division 3

Royal Bengal 5, Taverners Res. 2

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Reserve Team Picture Taken Before the Game

Team: Logan-Smith, Southgate, Durrel, Hudson, Careswell, Jordan, Bowman, Blagg, O'brien, Jacobs R., Pasque. Subs (Used): Burgess, Gleed B., Nestor, Strutt

Goals: Bowman, Gleed B.

NEXT GAMES:

Sunday 14th September

First Team - Premier Division - Shotley Rose(H) - Bourne Vale Sports Club

Reserves - Division 3 - FC Clapgate Lane(A) - Gainsborough Sports Centre

		First Team					Reserves
		Premier						Division 3


Sep   	 7	Real Suffolk			(H) 2-2 D	Royal Bengals FC			(A) 5-2 L			
	14	Shotley Rose			(H) 3-2 W	FC Clapgate Lane			(A) 6-2 L
	21	BYE -Suffolk FA Sunday Cup Rnd1			Landguard Rovers SFA ST Rnd1		(A) 1-5 W
        28	Holbrook Swan			(H) 1-1 D 	Ipswich Valley Rangers			(A) 2-3 W  	
		
Oct  	5	Portman Rovers			(A) P-P		Bramford Utd				(A) P-P	
       12	The Golden Hind			(A) 4-4 D	Landguard Rovers			(A) 0-1 W
       19	Bedfield (SFA SC2)		(A) 1-0 L	Ipswich Ath. (SFA ST2)			(A) H-W
       26							Needham Market Phoenix			(H) 1-1 D					

Nov  	2 	Gardeners Arms			(A) 3-0 L	AFC Chilton				(H) 5-2 W
        9	Ipswich Galaxy			(H) 2-1 W	Gardeners Arms Res.			(H) 1-0 W
       16      	Bourne Vale Utd			(A) 2-0 L	Ipswich Eagles				(A) 4-2 L
       23	Real Suffolk		        (A) 6-0 L	Northam Celtic				(A) H-W
       30	Shotley Rose			(A) 4-2 L		
       
Dec	7	Holbrook Swan			(A) 4-0 L	Royal Bengals				(H) A-W
       14							FC Clapgate Lane			(H) 3-3 D
       21															
       28	    
   	
Jan	4	The Golden Hind			(H) P-P		
       11							Playford (J/C1)				(H) P-P
       18							Playford (J/C1)				(H) 4-3 W
       25	Gardeners Arms			(H) 2-2 D

Feb   	1							
        8							AFC Chilton				(A)
       15	Borussia Martlesham(S/C2)	(A) 2-1 L	FC Clapgate Lane(J/C2)			(A) 6-3 L
       22	Portman Rovers			(A) 2-4 W		

Mar     1							
        8	Ipswich Galaxy			(A) 7-0 L		
       15							Holbrook Hornets			(A) 2-3 W
       22							Landguard Rovers			(H)
       29							Holbrook Hornets			(H)

Apr     5	The Golden Hind			(H)		AFC Chilton				(A)	
       12							Ipswich Valley Rangers			(H)	
       19							Needham Market Phoenix			(A)
       22 (Wed)							Bramford Utd				(H)	
       26							Northam Celtic				(H)
       29 (Wed)							Ipswich Eagles				(H)

May     3							Bramford Utd				(H)
       10	Bourne Vale Utd.		(H)		Gardeners Arms Res.			(A)
       17													
       24
       31