The club is inviting budding young wordsmiths to put pen to paper and send in a report from Saturday's friendly match between Horsham and Horsham YMCA to stand a chance of winning a fabulous prize. The competition is open to anyone under 16 years of age, with the best entry being published on this website on Sunday evening. Reports should not exceed 400 words and must be submitted to horshamfc@yahoo.co.uk no later than 3pm on Sunday 1st November (please include submitter's name and date of birth). The successful entrant will be notified by email, prior to the report being published.

The Club has announced its new 'Sponsor a Goal' initiative, offering you the chance to win a cash prize for a minimum pledge of £1 per goal. This is a fantastic way to help support your club, with recognition given in the match programme and the chance of a major cash prize at the end of the season. There is no maximum donation but, for every £1 pledged in support, your name will be entered in to the prize draw. Click here for more details

Our Ryman League fixture against Hendon, postponed earlier this month due to the Middlesex club's FA Cup involvements, will now take place at Wembley FC's Vale Farm on Tuesday 1st December, kick-off 7.45pm.

John Maggs has acted to fill another otherwise blank weekend with a fixture against Horsham YMCA this coming Saturday. With both of the town's most senior clubs having faced early elimination from the FA Trophy, the match is hoped to give each side the opportunity to maintain their match fitness while, for Maggs at least, it provides the chance for him to cast his eye over a couple of trialists. "With Russell (Eldridge) having gone, I need to take a look at a couple of lads and although we will have had training sessions with them, it would be ideal for us to give them a proper run out. Neither us or YM have a match scheduled for Saturday so it makes good sense for both us." The club will be charging reduced admission to the match, details of which will be posted here as soon as prices are known.

Horsham Under 18s striker Patrick O'Sullivan has been invited to attend trials with the England Schools FA this Saturday. Patrick featured in a game for Sussex Schools last week and scored the opening goal in a 4-2 victory against Hampshire. Everyone at Horsham Youth are very proud that Patrick has been given this opportunity and wish him all the best in the trials

The club has learned this evening of the decision of Russell Eldridge to return to former side Hastings United. Eldridge's versatility made him a valuable member of John Maggs' side, providing pace and energy in defence and the midfield, and his departure will come as a disappointment to the manager who is still without the injured Lee Carney and Steve Davies. Speaking tonight, Maggs said "I've got to respect Russell's decision. He lives in Hastings and is getting fed up with the travelling and basically feels now is the time for him to move on. He's been an excellent player for me and I wish him well." Russell played 70 times for the Hornets, following his arrival from Hastings in August 2008, and scored 3 goals.

In a statement released this afternoon, Hornets chairman Kevin Borrett (left) shares his views on the club's recent performances and admits to sharing the supporters' frustrations at early exits in the FA Cup, FA Trophy and Sussex Senior Cups. More...

John Maggs has responded to criticism of his struggling side by asking supporters to 'show their true colours' and get behind the team as they strive to bounce back from their recent poor run of form. More...

Horsham suffered a night to forget as they crashed out of the FA Trophy at lowly Barton Rovers this evening. Ben Andrews was sent off as the Hornets produced a performance as miserable as the Bedfordshire weather at times, conceding 4 goals for the 2nd time in 72 hours to the struggling Southern Leaguers who had previously managed just 2 wins all season. Ricky Case shot under Rob Tolfrey to put the home side ahead as early as the 4th minute but Pat Harding levelled things up again only for Richard Pringle to restore Barton's lead, midway through the first half. Andrews was shown a straight red, shortly after, before Claude Seanla gave Horsham hope with a second equaliser. Sam Spencer made the most of an error by Tolfrey to make it 3-2 and, after Charman had gone close to grabbing a 3rd equaliser, Russell Bull scored a controversial 4th from an apparent offside position. Charman claimed the goal of the game to make it 4-3 but it was too late for the Hornets who have now exited the FA Cup, FA Trophy and Sussex Senior Cups without winning a match for the first time since 2003. Full report...

A furious John Maggs labelled his sides' defending as 'atrocious' during Saturday's 4-4 draw with Barton Rovers and hinted that changes may have to be made ahead of Tuesday night's replay at Sharpenhoe Road. More...

Horsham will host either AFC Sudbury or Billericay Town in the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy if they can see off Barton Rovers in Tuesday night's replay.

Horsham face a long midweek trek to Bedfordshire after throwing away a 3 goal lead against Barton Rovers this afternoon in an incredible FA Trophy tie at Gorings Mead. The Hornets looked to be coasting to victory after recovering from the shock of Russell Bull's 7th minute opener and led 4-1 after 20 minutes, thanks to goals from Gary Charman (2), Sam Page and Claude Seanla. Bull reduced the arrears with his second, minutes later, and that's the way it stayed until Richard Pringle made it 4-3 with 18 minutes remaining. In a dramatic finale, Charman was dismissed for handling the ball on the goal-line and Ricky Case scored the resulting penalty to send the teams back to Sharpenhoe Road on Tuesday night. Full report...

The club is offering reduced admission of £7 (adults) and £1.50 (U16s) to Saturday's FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round tie against Barton Rovers (kick-off 3pm) in which Anthony Acheampong and Rob Tolfrey return to the side after suspension. Early exits in the FA and Sussex Senior Cups mean that this competition represents the club's best chance of raising valuable funds with a £2300 cheque awaiting the winners. However, defeats to lower league opposition in each of the last 2 seasons means that the Zamaretto Southern League Midlands strugglers will not be underestimated by John Maggs' side who are looking to build on Tuesday's excellent win over Maidstone. More...

Horsham Club President Frank King has been recognised for his long standing contribution to the game at the Sussex County FA's Football Workforce Volunteer Awards night. The ceremony, held at the end of last month at the FA's Lancing Headquarters, acknowledged clubs as well as individuals with likes of Eastbourne Borough, Horsham Sparrows and Haywards Heath Town Ladies all collecting awards. Hornets Chairman Kevin Borrett admitted that King was a very deserving recipient. ”Frank has been a life long servant of Horsham Football Club and guided it through some of the darkest moments of uncertainty in the club’s history as well as being part of its major achievements. His enthusiasm for the club is undiminished after a period of support spanning over half a century. Recognition of his longstanding commitment to non league football in Sussex, and to Horsham Football Club in particular, by the Sussex Football Association is a fitting tribute and, in Frank’s case thoroughly deserved. John Lines, Tim Hewlett and I were honoured to be invited by Frank to attend the presentation ceremony where many of the guests present were well known longstanding footballing friends of Frank and who also shared in this occasion with him. The presentation plaque Frank received is now prominently displayed, sitting proudly on a coffee table at his home”. Congratulations Frank.

John Maggs praised his understrength side's desire and appetite following last night's win against Maidstone and challenged them to put in a repeat performance for the weekend visit of Barton Rovers. "With a full side out there, that would have been a good result," beamed the manager, "so I'm delighted with the lads' performance. I think it helped not having a game for 10 days and they came back with a good appetite. I asked the wide men to track back more, which they did, and we soaked up a lot of pressure late on but I felt that Ben and Sam were magnificent at the back. We lacked a bit of creativity in midfield but, overall, it wasn't a bad performance and it was a very good 3 points against a very good side. That said, I don't want to go and get a result like that and then have us throw it all away again on Saturday. We have to build on this."

Jack Lyons' second half goal was enough to settle this Ryman Premier Division clash with Maidstone United as the Hornets battled to a much needed 3 points. With just one win in nine attempts prior to tonight's match, John Maggs would have taken any kind of victory but he would have been delighted by his players' commitment and endeavour as they ended the Stones' unbeaten away league record. The visitors will look back at a number of missed opportunities to earn at least a point but the Hornets defence, in which Ben Andrews was outstanding, withstood a late barrage to record only their 3rd clean sheet of the campaign. Full report

Suspensions and injuries have deprived John Maggs of at least 5 key players for Tuesday night's visit of Maidstone United (Kick-off 7.30pm). Rob Tolfrey, Anthony Acheampong, James Nicholls, Lee Carney and Steve Davies are definitely out of the clash with the 7th placed Stones while doubts surround the inclusion of Gary Charman after he was taken to hospital last week with a suspected grumbling appendix. The Stones were beaten 2-0 at Woking in Saturday's FA Cup tie but are unbeaten away from home in the league this season and will provide the Hornets with a tough test as they look to end a miserable sequence of results that has seen them win just once since late August. More...

Horsham have been drawn at home to Sutton United in the Second Round of the Isthmian League Cup (sponsored by Championship Manager). The Hornets were 3-2 victors over Sutton during last season's run to the quarter-finals and will be hopeful of more success when the tie takes place w/c 9th November.

We are delighted to announce that Joss Knowles, Jamie Witham and Marcus Collier have been selected to represent Sussex County FA in their match against Surrey County FA U16s this weekend. The match takes place at 1pm on Sunday 18th October at Lancing's Culver Road ground. We congratulate the lads and wish them the very best of luck.

Horsham will need to arrange a new date for their Ryman League trip to Wealdstone after the Stones pulled off a superb 3-0 victory against Lewes in today's FA Cup tie at Vale Park, with all the goals coming inside the first 47 minutes. The Hornets' were due to visit Vale Park on Saturday 24th October, the date set for the 4th Qualifying Round. Tooting & Mitcham, who ended our interest in this season's competition last month, continue to progress after a 3-2 win against Slough Town as do Sutton United for whom Sam Gargan's 86th minute goal saw off Walton & Hersham this afternoon. Hendon and Ashford (Mx) played out a goalless draw to guarantee a 4th Ryman Premier Division side through to the final qualifying round in 2 weeks' time while Aveley's fine draw at Hampton & Richmond also sees them go into the hat for Monday's draw. Dartford, Maidstone and Tonbridge Angels were all beaten by higher league opposition. In the league, there were wins for Boreham Wood, Canvey Island, Kingstonian and Hastings.

Adam Hutchings has become the latest Horsham youngster to earn notable reward for his talents with a call up to the Sussex Schools and Colleges squad for the meeting with their Hampshire counterparts on Thursday 22nd October. A talented midfielder, Adam made his first team debut for the Hornets in March and has been a regular in John Maggs' squad in recent weeks and we wish him well in representing his county. The match will take place at AFC Totton's Testwood Lane ground.

Barton Rovers will provide the opposition when we get our FA Trophy campaign underway next weekend after the Bedfordshire side defeated Ilford in Wednesday night's Preliminary Round replay. The Zamaretto Leaguers travelled to Essex after a 1-1 draw last Saturday and looked to be heading out of the competition when Ilford took a 2-1 lead with just a minute of normal time remaining. However, Barton forced forced extra time with an equaliser in the final minute before going on to take the tie 3-2 in extra time.

The club was sorry to learn of the recent death of former player David Collyer, who passed away on October 2nd following a long illness. David joined Horsham from Chichester, for the first of 2 spells at Queen Street between 1960 and 1965, and scored an impressive 67 goals in just 102 appearances. The funeral service will be held at Boxgrove Priory, Boxgrove, nr. Chichester, on Monday 12th October at 11am. Our thoughts are with Dave's family and friends at this sad time.

The club is delighted to announce that 3 members of the U18 squad have been invited to attend trials at Reading Football Club. Aiden Enticknapp, Jamie Witham and Josh Clack caught the eye of Reading FC Recruitment Officer Steve Shorey during the recent FA Youth Cup tie against Tooting & Mitcham and will start their day release from school this week to undergo trials with the Royals, through the Championship side's Football in the Community scheme. Josh, Aiden and Jamie all play for Horsham Youth U16s in the Sussex Sunday Youth League, as well as featuring in the U18 squad this season, and we hope to keep supporters informed of their progress. This is a great opportunity for the lads and we are sure they will give a good account of themselves in representing Horsham Youth at the trials.

Dragons, Wolves, a Mad Dog and even the Jolly Green Giant ! It all sounds like a young child's worst nightmare but nothing could have been further from the sort as mascots of all shapes and sizes converged upon Huntingdon Race Course yesterday for the running of the 11th Mascot Grand National. There to cheer on our own Howie the Hornet was faithful companion Matt Haynes who has sent us this report of the day's events.

Howie the Hornet proved today what we all know...that he's the best mascot around ! Competing in the 11th Mascot Grand National, our furry friend finished a fantastic 3rd place behind Huntingdon Rugby Club's 'The Stag' and Wolfie, from Worcester Wolves Basketball Club, making Howie the top performing football mascot in a field over 60 competitors. We hope to bring you a full report and photos later in the week.

Claude Seanla became the first recipient of the Player of the Month award this season, picking up the supporters' vote for August and September. The former Tottenham striker began the season in style, scoring in successive matches against Sutton, Harrow and Tonbridge, and his contribution to the side was highlighted as the Hornets struggled during his absence through a hamstring injury. He is pictured here collecting the award from Jack Everley and Jack Harris before yesterday's match with Boreham Wood.

A spectacular double from Boreham Wood's Chris Watters helped confine the Hornets to a 3rd straight defeat on a blustery afternoon at Gorings Mead. The midfielder's superb volley and well executed lob put the visitors in the driving seat with barely a quarter of an hour played and Horsham struggled to create any clear cut chances during an ineffective first half display. Their fortunes improved after the break with the introduction of Claude Seanla and, when the Frenchman netted from the spot after an hour, it looked as though the Hornets might salvage a valuable point. But the result was put beyond doubt when Mario Noto curled home a free-kick to leave John Maggs contemplating a run of just 1 victory in 9 matches. Full report...

Ryman League Premier Division football returns to Gorings Mead this Saturday when Horsham entertain Boreham Wood (kick-off 3pm). It is almost a month since the Hornets last played at their adopted 'home' and they will be keen to bounce back from a poor return of one victory from four successive away games but will be without 3 key players for the visit of the Hertfordshire side. More...

Lee Carney faces '3-5 weeks' on the sidelines after suffering a badly twisted knee during Saturday's defeat at Bognor, according to boss John Maggs. The midfielder sat out large chunks of last season through various injuries but had missed just one match this season until the weekend and his absence will be a huge blow to the Hornets who face Boreham Wood this Saturday, looking to bounce back from 2 successive defeats.

The club were saddened to hear of the recent death of Bert Pope, who played for Horsham in the Metropolitan League between 1951 and 1954. Bert was a highly talented striker who had often played against Horsham for East Grinstead before moving to the Queen Street club to enjoy their new adventure outside of the County League. Bert played for three seasons and made 66 appearances, scoring an impressive 40 goals. He was a major figure in the team that secured the championship and the Sussex RUR Cup in 1951-52, and the Sussex Senior Cup in 1954. The club offers its condolences to his family and friends at this sad time

This Sunday sees the running of the 11th Mascot Grand National at Huntingdon racecourse and our very own Howie the Hornet is all set to try and break back into the top 5 after last year's 7th place finish. This race pits mascots from various clubs and associations against each other from all over the country and Howie will be in confident mood after a successful summer that saw him collect the gold medal at Lingfield and silver at Fontwell Park. Howie is looking for sponsorship for this event and any donations can be made at Saturday's home match against Boreham Wood where our intrepid athlete is hoping to make an appearance. More...