OPPOSITION FOCUS | Leverstock Green (H)
- Ollie Heathcote
- Mar 4
- 4 min read
Back to the Focus we go as the Tudors continue their Herts Senior Cup journey, facing Leverstock Green in what hopes to be a lively and exciting local derby.
The Key Info:
Founded: 1895
Nickname: The Green
Manager: Fergus Moore
Stadium: Lords Builders Merchants Stadium
Capacity: 1500
The History
Formed in 1895, Leverstock Green began their endeavour into competitive football in the
1908/09 season, competing in Division Three of the West Herts League, where they were
one of eight teams to compete in that division. They remained in the West Herts League until
1954, where they successfully applied to join the Hertfordshire County League. From this
point, progress was evident through the building of a new clubhouse, post and rails and
training lights. However, 1979 saw their best achievement in 80 years, as the Green won
Division One of the Herts County League, which saw them progress to the Premier Division.
They moved into the South Midlands League in 1991, performing well.
Their Premier Division status was confirmed in 2003, after gaining promotion on a couple of occasions. However, they were denied promotion due to the floodlights not being approved by the
council. Leverstock Green’s best achievement in the FA Cup was reaching the Second
Qualifying Round on two occasions, where they were beaten by Staines Town and Dorking
Wanderers. Following 21 seasons in the South Midlands League Premier Division,
Leverstock Green confirmed promotion to the Southern League Central Division One as they
look to continue their progress this season.
Leverstock Green is a family-orientated club, under the stewardship of Chairperson Emma
Smart. Looking ahead to this fixture, she says “Playing against Hemel is always going to be
tough, especially under a new management team and new players that want to push on. The
boys are ready for a battle I’m sure and know what to expect.” The two clubs continue to
build on a strong relationship as Emma says “Always exciting coming to Hemel and catching
up with our friends”.
Whilst Leverstock Green sit second from bottom in the Southern League Division One
Central, picking up 12 draws in 29 games could prove vital to staying up, as the Green sit
five points adrift of safety. Emma remains proud of the team, saying “Every single player
who has put on a shirt and the whole management squad have given 200% this year in
every game played and maybe the draws are testament to that. We’ve been in a lot of
games and we’ve dug deep to get the draws.”
It is sure to be a fantastic battle between the Tudors and Leverstock Green, as a spot in the
Semi Final of the Herts Senior Cup is up for grabs.
The Manager: Fergus Moore
After joining the club in the 2021/22 season, Fergus Moore enters his fourth season as manager of Leverstock Green, with his current focus on keeping the Green in the SouthernLeague Central Division. After a lengthy playing career as a defender, Moore has demonstrated a growing knowledge of the non-league pyramid, representing Edgware Town, Cockfosters and Hanwell Town before making the move to Leverstock Green. Since his arrival, Moore has made a significant impact, leading Leverstock Green to a promotion last season.
Star Man: Giuseppe Delgaudio
This season has proved to be a turning point for Giuseppe Delgaudio, as he has proved himself as a Step 4 player. He is currently in his second spell at Leverstock Green, after
playing at the Green in the 2020/21 season. He currently has nine goals in all competitions this season, as he looks to add to this tally against the Tudors.
Delgaudio has represented a number of clubs at both Step 4 and 5 of Non-League, spending his early years at Amersham Town and Enfield Borough. He eventually moved to Leverstock Green for his first spell, before moving to Bovingdon after just one season. The 2022/23 season saw his best goalscoring season to date, scoring 13 league goals in 24 appearances at Tring Athletic, earning him a move to Kings Langley. Following a spell at Kings, Delgaudio played a second spell at Tring before moving back to Leverstock Green. After being part of their promoted side last season, Delgaudio remained at the club heading into this campaign, where he continues to impress.
Played for Both: Kyle Connolly
Kyle Connolly is a player who is well known for his outstanding contributions to both teams, having spent 6 years at the Tudors, before his departure to Kings Langley. Part of the Hemel
team who earned promotion into the National League South, Connolly has built up his
experience over his years of playing, as he remains a solid presence at the heart of defence.
Joining the Green during this season, Connolly adds a combination of quality and experience to the Leverstock Green backline.
The Skipper: Dan Weeks
As another player, who enters his second spell as a Leverstock Green player, Dan Weeks
has been an outstanding servant to the Green, since arriving in 2019. Since his arrival, Weeks has slotted into the centre of defence, and has been a consistent performer at the Green. He is another player, who has played locally as he has represented Berkhamsted, Sun Sports, Kings Langley, Harpenden Town and Bovingdon, accumulating 432 appearances in competitive football. Weeks is also a no-nonsense centre back, who likes to impose himself as an aerial presence inside both boxes, and will aim to do whatever it takes
to help his side win.
Playoff Delight for the Green as they earn promotion in front of bumper crowd
Last season saw Leverstock Green claim a dominant 3-0 win against FC Romania in the
Spartan South Midlands League, in front of a crowd which neared 1000 people.
Whilst conditions proved tough to compete on as the rain continued to fall, both teams went into the break with the deadlock yet to be broken. However, the Green were quick to start the scoring after a cross from the right hand side found the head of Dan Pett, who headed into the back of the net. The lead was soon doubled in the 77th minute through Callum Neal’s drilled effort into the left hand corner, before Rawn Seale wrapped up the victory as he tapped the ball home from close range.
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