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PAUL REBAIRO
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UTILITY PLAYER
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236 Appearances
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DEBUT: 22nd August 1991 v. Generals (Pre-Season Friendly Match at Montagu Rec., Edmonton)
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LAST MATCH: 7th November 2004 v. Oakwood United (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division 4 Match at Albany Park)
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 PROFILE: Another ex-Edmonton County School pupil, Paul was brought along to the club by Conor Mc,Govern in the early-90's and was a loyal club member for a number of years, even though he lost his place in the First Team on several occasions as we went up the Divisions. As befits a player who was not afraid to try some extravagant skills' (which often failed to come off !), Paul claims that he was 'almost a Brazilian' as his Portuguese grandparents got lost in trying to emigrate to Brazil and ended up in St. Vincent instead ! Nevertheless, Paul was an outstanding Utility Player for Rovers, having played in every position for the club, (including in goal) and he was also highly useful in dead-ball situations, although a number of missed penalties during the 2003-2004 season unfortunately damaged that reputation a bit. Was more often used either as a sweeper or in a midfield holding role towards the end of his Rovers career (with a rapidly increasing waistline not helping !), but he was still a very influential member of the side. Only played one match (for the Reserve Team) during Season 2004-2005 due to family commitments and a promised comeback never materialised. Works as a Washing Machine Repairer for Hotpoint and often meets ex-Rovers players in the course of doing his job.
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GIUSEPPE SARNO
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DEFENDER or GOALKEEPER
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110 Appearances
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DEBUT: 21st November 1982 v. Jolly Butchers (Edmonton Sunday League Division 3 Match at Pymmes Park)
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LAST MATCH: 6th September 1992 v. A.F.C. Astra (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division 5 Match at Enfield Playing Fields)
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 PROFILE: Anglo-Italian Cousin of Francesco Apicella who made his debut as a 17-year-old after being signed up by his work colleague Laurence Hughes to play as a goalkeeper, but 'Joe' (as he was more commonly known) ended up playing more games as an outfield player, mainly in defence or in a defensive midfield position. Was rather an average player and not always a first choice in the starting line-up but accumulated over 100 Appearances in his 10-year spell with the club. However, increasing family and work commitments saw him eventually leave the club in 1992. Was last heard of working as Manager of W.H. Smith in Waltham Cross.
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GARY SOUTHAM
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DEFENDER
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241 Appearances
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DEBUT: 5th August 1990 v. White Hart (Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf)
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LAST MATCH: 7th October 2001 v. Upshire Coach & Horses (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division One Match at Larsens Rec.)
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 PROFILE: Was brought along to the club by his work colleague John Dyer back in 1990 to play as a defender, but actually made his debut as a stand-in goalkeeper, something he was prone to do throughout his Rovers career ! A loyal club player and Management Committee member who was made a Life Vice-President on his retirement - on which his intention was taking up golf , much to the amusement of his former team-mates who spent a number of years criticizing him for his refusal to wear contact lenses during matches. Subsequent mis-kicks because of that will always be what Gary is best remembered for, but few other players put in as much effort and commitment and that made up for any lack of technique. Now spends most of his spare time driving a 'Stretch Limo' and racing his greyhounds.
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GLEN SOUTHAM
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MIDFIELDER
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19 Appearances
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DEBUT: 18th August 1998 v. Trojans (Pre-Season Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf)
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LAST MATCH: 31st August 1999 v. Trojans (Pre-Season Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf)
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 PROFILE: Was brought along to training sessions at 'Bullsmoor' as a 16-year-old by his older brother Micky and his half-brother Gary, where he used to damage the Astroturf by wearing long studded-boots instead of trainers, but he still showed enough ability that we could see why he was having trials with various professional clubs at the time. Was then signed up for the 1998-1999 Season as an 18-year-old while he was playing for Enfield's Youth & Reserve Team and for Fulham's Academy as a non-contract player, and this first taste of men's football playing for Rovers under Trevor Hughes's tutelage did him the power of good. Scored a spectacular goal for the benefit of Sky's cameras at Hazelwood when they sent a crew down to film an article for Soccer A.M....the goal can be seen here in our ‘90’s Goal Of The Decade...and notched nine more in his 19 appearances before being signed on contract by Bishop's Stortford at the start of the following season where he gradually gained a regular place in their Ryman League Premier Division side. Was then signed by National League side Dagenham & Redbridge in 2004 where he became an England Non-League international and helped them progress into the Football League. Was set to move to Championship side Coventry City during the Summer of 2008 but that fell through and he then played for various League Two and National League teams until his retirement. Is by far the most successful ex-Rovers player when it comes to playing professional football...hence his inclusion here in our Greats Of The Past section. Glen can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/suvs8
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TONY SPELLER
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DEFENDER or MIDFIELDER
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210 Appearances
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DEBUT: 11th August 1991 v. Inter London (Pre-Season Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf)
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LAST MATCH: 28th September 2008 v. St. Margaretsbury (Sunday) (Mercury Waltham Sunday League Division One Match at St. Margaretsbury F.C.)
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PROFILE: M ade his Rovers debut way back in 1991 as a 16-year-old, but only lasted 7 matches before he walked out in disgust at the poor performances and lack of team spirit that was prevalent at the time. Then went off to play for the Accies in the Edmonton Sunday League and then North Enfield in the Mercury Waltham Sunday League before deciding to return to Rovers in August 1998 when North Enfield folded. Perhaps that was no surprise, as he was an ex-Edmonton County School pupil and played cricket for Edmonton Cricket Club for a number of years, so he knew several of our players when he re-joined. Then went on a real fitness drive after being given the nickname 'Porky' on his return to the club, having had all the 'typical Rovers player' attributes of being a couple of stone overweight, unable to sprint more than 20 yards, but having excellent ball control and passing ability. Was a useful player in either the sweeper's role, in both of the full-back positions or as a holding midfielder, but gradually wound down his Rovers career with less frequent appearances due to work & family commitments and stopped playing altogether in September 2008.
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MITCHELL TAYLOR
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MIDFIELDER
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118 Appearances
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DEBUT: 23rd November 1980 v. Vikings (Edmonton Sunday League Division 5 Match at Bush Hill Park)
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LAST MATCH: 17th November 1985 v. Tollington Park (Haringey Sunday League Division 3 Match at Hackney Marshes Arena)
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 PROFILE: Long-haired competitive midfielder and 'rock singer' who joined after answering an advert for players - he then brought his fellow band members Adam Bramley and 'B' Team player Martin Wheeler with him, so 'Mitch' was a useful acquisition in more ways than one. Played regularly for 5 seasons, but then became disillusioned after losing his place and decided to leave and give up Sunday football. Then went on to play for various Amateur clubs on Saturdays, mainly in the St. Albans area, and now plays both 5-a-side and 7-a-side regularly in Welwyn Garden City in midweek. Is also now Manager of his son's Youth Team in the Watford Friendly League.
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MARK TEPPER
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MIDFIELDER
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104 Appearances
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DEBUT: 24th August 1980 v. St. Paul's Church (Edmonton Sunday League 'Friendly' Match at the Barrass Surround)
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LAST MATCH: 24th February 1985 v. Richmond (Haringey League Division 6 Match at Albany Park, Enfield)
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 PROFILE: Joined (and left) the club with his ex-Edmonton County School and Stag & Hounds drinking colleague Steve Cracknell, playing almost exclusively for the 'B' (Reserve) Team during it's five-year history. Was definitely the 'B' Team's original version of Kevin Dedman in terms of his left-footedness, outstanding natural ability and laid-back attitude and managed to score some outrageous 'Taking the Piss' goals in his time. Left the club when the 'B' Team folded and then went on to play briefly for Percival, but retired from playing competitively soon after that due to a back injury and 'too much beer'. Would have been perfectly suited for Rovers side of the late-90’s/early-2000’s. Now lives in Ringwood, Hampshire.
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TONY TOMBLING
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DEFENDER
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155 Appearances
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DEBUT: 17th September 1978 v. Southgate CTA (Edmonton Sunday League Division 8 Match at Oakwood Park)
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LAST MATCH: 29th January 1984 v. Bush Hill Rangers (Edmonton Sunday League Divisional Cup Semi-Final at Church Street Rec.)
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 PROFILE: Another player who joined the club as a result of a newspaper advertisement (at the same time as Kieran McGregor) and became a loyal and highly useful acquisition as a talented left-back or central defender. Made his debut as a 16-year-old but was renowned for his tackling even then, so much so that he actually played on with a broken leg in one match (against Royal Scot in October 1980). Was one of a number of Rovers players who became frustrated with a lack of team spirit in the First Team in the early-80's and therefore opted to play out his Rovers career in the 'B' Team for Season 1983-1984 before leaving the club and eventually moving to live in Cardiff during the 1990's. Is now back living in the Cheshunt area and has been in contact with one or two ex-Rovers players since his return.
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IAN WATTS
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GOALKEEPER
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117 Appearances
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DEBUT: 17th August 1980 v. Finches (Edmonton Sunday League 'Friendly' Match at the Barrass Surround)
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LAST MATCH: 30th August 1998 v. Accies (Friendly Match at Firs Farm)
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 PROFILE: Joined Rovers as the 'B' Team's goalkeeper on their formation in 1980, but his impressive performances soon gained him a place in the First Team by the end of the season, especially after becoming the only player in Rovers history to be awarded 10 out of 10 in a match for his performance in a 4-1 win against F.C. Fagans in March 1981 (albeit by skipper Jerome Burnikell in the absence of both Laurence & Trevor Hughes on the day !). However, Ian was another player to protest against the First Team's lack of team spirit by dropping back down to the 'B' Team again half-way through the 1982-1983 Season before leaving the club completely at the end of the following season to join F.C. Turin. Cropped up again in the early-90's playing against Rovers as an outfield player for Addison (and getting himself sent off for a crude challenge on Conor Mc,Govern !), before actually making a one-match 'one-off comeback' for us in goal against the Accies in August 1998.
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GLENN WEAVER
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COMMITTEE MEMBER
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25 Appearances
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FIRST MATCH INVOLVEMENT: 31st August 1976 v. Cheshunt Youth (Friendly Match at Cheshunt F.C.)
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LAST MATCH INVOLVEMENT: 6th April 1986 v. Nike (Haringey League Intermediate Cup Final at the Metal Box Ground)
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 PROFILE: Founder member of the club who intended to be a 'non-player' but ended up having to play in 25 matches as we struggled to field a side during the late-70's. Became 'B' Team Secretary and occasional Manager on it's formation and stayed on the club Management Committee for another year after the 'B' Team folded before eventually leaving to run a team for Field End Youth in the Summer of 1986. Glenn then later became Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Ladies where he was much respected. Sadly Glenn suddenly passed away in February 2015 and he will be greatly missed. A full tribute to Glenn can be found in the Chairman’s Blog here dated Monday 23rd March 2015.
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PAUL WOOLSTON
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DEFENDER
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152 Appearances
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DEBUT: 31st July 2001 v. Trojans (Pre-Season Friendly Match at Picketts Lock Astroturf)
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LAST MATCH: 7th March 2010 v. AFC Cheshunt (Waltham League Division One Match at Turnford School)
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 PROFILE: A highly experienced Central Defender, 'Wooly' was brought along to the club at the start of the 2001-2002 Season by Lee Osborn, whose ex-wife was a friend of 'Wooly's wife. Was a real 100% 'winner' (unlike some other Rovers players ?!) and therefore added some much-needed strength and commitment to the side as soon as he joined, which undoubtedly helped us to gain promotion to the Premier Division in his first season and then finish third in that Division the following season. 'Wooly' also played for the now-defunct Enfield Park in the Mercury Waltham Sunday League in their Premier Division days in the early-90's whilst turning out for both Harlow Town & Sawbridgeworth Town on Saturdays, but he spent most of his footballing 'career' playing regularly for Hertford Town in the Ryman League until leaving them during the 2000-2001 Season to concentrate on Sunday football with Rovers. Had been a regular for the club since joining, but started missing matches through injuries and family commitments in the late-2000’s and then retired completely at the end of Season 2009-2010. Despite struggling with his fitness on occasions, Wooly was a key player for us as he was just about the only one who shouted, called and organised things on the field of play !
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