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ROBIN OSBORNE

PAR002_123 • March 28, 2022

Hampshire FA's President (and former Chair), Robin Osborne, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon after a long battle with ill health.


Robin’s first involvement in football was in December 1962 when he qualified as a referee whilst living in Northampton before moving to Leicestershire and progressing to referee on the Midland Counties Football League.


Robin remained an active referee with Leicestershire & Rutland FA continuously until 1988/89 and received a 20 year long service award from the county in 1984 whilst also serving the Loughborough Referees Society from 1974 to 1984 holding posts as Treasurer and Vice Chairman and also representing Loughborough on the Leicestershire & Rutland County Referees Committee.


Whilst based in Leicestershire, Robin also became involved with Birstall Community College Youth FC (where his Son’s played) managing junior teams from Under 10 to Under 13 between 1981-84.


After moving to the South Coast, Robin was appointed Auditor of Bournemouth Divisional FA in 1991 and was also elected as a BDFA Council Member before being elected to Hampshire FA Council in 1995 and then as BDFA Treasurer in 1996, a role he held until 2001 when he was elected as Treasurer (Finance Director) of Hampshire FA Ltd.


During this time, Robin also joined Christchurch FC in 1996 serving as Chairman 1998-2001 returning in recent years as the club’s President.


Robin is the only person in Hampshire FA’s history to have held all four Officer roles having been elected as Treasurer (Finance Director) in 2001 at a time when Hampshire FA became a limited company, then onto Deputy Chairman in 2013, Chairman in 2014 and was appointed President in 2019.


Robin was one of football’s good guys and he will be sorely missed. All at the Wessex Football League are saddened to learn of Robin’s passing, and our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Gail and his family.


As a mark of respect, a minute’s silence will be held at all Hampshire FA Cup Finals this season.


Further details will be confirmed in due course.

HOLDERS HOST SHOTS

February 5, 2025
AFC Portchester have received a home draw against Aldershot Town in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup. Gav Spurway's table-toppers are in a quest to make it back-to-back victories in the competition, will face the National League outfit - who saw off Tadley Calleva 6-1 to reach the last four. Portchester's path meanwhile has already included triumphs against opposition higher in the pyramid in Basingstoke and Havant & Waterlooville. There's further Velocity Wessex League representation in the other semi-final, with AFC Stoneham visiting either Hamble Club or Sholing. Hamble overcame Southampton's Academy 2-0 in the second round, while fellow Premier Division title-challengers, AFC Stoneham beat Winchester City by the odd goal of three to make this stage. Ties for those semi-finals are to be confirmed, however The Snows Stadium - home to AFC Totton - will host the final on Tuesday, April 15 (7.45pm). See our Fixtures page for updates. Photo: Nathan Lipsham

STREET EDGE PURPS IN VASE

February 2, 2025
Andover New Street's march in the Isuzu FA Vase continued on Saturday in a thrilling all-Velocity Wessex League last 16 encounter against AFC Stoneham. A crowds of 565 at Foxcotte Park saw Oliver Jenkins give Stoneham the lead on the quarter-hour - and that's how it stayed until late drama ensued; Greg Peel finding the target to level for New Street - three minutes into added time.

NEW STREET REINSTATED

January 26, 2025
Andover New Street have been reinstated into the Isuzu FA Vase (*subject to appeal) after Roman Glass St George fielded an ineligible player during their Fourth Round tie on January 11. An FA National League System board sub-committee met on Thursday, revealing that Roman Glass St George had fielded a player under suspension. Subject to Roman Glass St George's right to appeal, Street will host an all-Wessex tie in the last 16 of the competition - a record for both sides - on February 1, guaranteeing one a place in the quarter-finals. FA Vase - Full Draw

END OF SEASON DATES

January 9, 2025
Dates for the Velocity Wessex League Divisional play-offs and cup final for 2024/25 have been released, with details as follows: PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFFS Tuesday, April 2 (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, April 23 (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o Saturday, April 26 (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o DIVISION ONE Tuesday, April 29 (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o Wednesday, April 30 (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o Saturday, May 3 (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o CUP FINAL Monday, May 5 - Velocity Wessex League Cup Final (at AFC Portchester) - 3pm k.o

VELOCITY WESSEX LEAGUE CUP QF'S

January 5, 2025
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Velocity Wessex League Cup was made on Sunday during the Radio Show . Last season's winners, Hamble Club head to Hamworthy Recreation, while current Premier Division table-toppers, AFC Portchester, head over the Solent to East Cowes Victoria. An intriguing tie will take place at Cams Alders as Fareham Town host Division One leaders, New Milton Town, while Cove will be looking for another Premier Division scalp following their victory over Baffins Milton Rovers, as they head to Millbrook in the last eight. The full draw is below with dates of the ties to be confirmed. Keep an eye on our fixtures page or weekly newsletter for updates: East Cowes Victoria v AFC Portchester Fareham Town v New Milton Town Hamworthy Recreation v Hamble Club Millbrook v Cove Photo: Nathan Lipsham

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

December 22, 2024
As we come to the end of my first six months as the chair of the Velocity Wessex League, it is time to reflect on the season 2024-25 so far. The weather has been kind to us so far and most clubs have completed close to half of their league programme. Both the Premier Division and Division One have competitive battles at both the top and bottom of the tables and I am sure that the race for the title and play-off positions will be interesting right up to the final games. Special congratulations are offered to the three teams that remain in the FA Vase, namely AFC Stoneham, Andover New Street and Fareham Town. Whilst they all face difficult away ties on January 11, everyone in the League wishes them well and hope they can carry the Velocity Wessex League flag into the next round. Off the field, focus for clubs will have to be achieving FA ground accreditation by March 31, 2025. There is the threat of relegation for clubs that do not achieve accreditation, and the league do not want to lose any club on this basis, so please can I ask clubs to focus on getting the required work finished in good time so that promotion and relegation is only decided as it should be, on the field. If you require any assistance regarding ground accreditation, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Harley or myself. As we reach the end of 2024, I would like to thank my fellow league officers for the work they do on behalf of the league, and the time spent and knowledge they have to offer clubs does not go unnoticed. I would particularly like to thank the league secretary Steve Smith for his work and dedication to the role, and he has helped make my transition into the Chairman’s role go smoothly. As I thank the officers, I would like to pay tribute to the League President Dennis Challis who sadly passed away following a short illness recently. Dennis was a font of knowledge and support for me, and our thoughts are with his wife Val and his family at this time. I also thank and acknowledge the support of Joe, Will and the team at Velocity Sports, our main sponsor. Without their financial backing it would make running the league harder for both the league officers and clubs. I would also like to thank all club officers and volunteers for the work that they do to keep all clubs functioning to the standard required of a club within the FA’s National League System, it is appreciated. Finally, I would like to wish everyone in the Velocity Wessex League 'family' a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2025.  Nick Taplin Chairman Velocity Wessex League
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