bashley v frome town - fa trophy

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WE don’t see them for a year, now our friends from Frome are popping up for the second time in 11 days! This Saturday it’s the start of another road to Wembley for the Isuzu FA Trophy - and if last week’s Southern League encounter was anything to go by the Bash will have to be at their very best to reach the next round, never mind the stadium at London HA9 0WS next May!

It was a bitter-sweet - or rather, sweet-bitter - night for Bash skipper Lewis Ross when the Robins flew in and promptly showed why they are already among the promotion favourites. Lew scored the opening goal but was - we thought harshly - sent off in the last minute.

By then Frome had delivered a lesson in every aspect of the game - certainly an excellent shade of good, but what some in the crowd also considered, perhaps, the "ultra-efficient." 

There’s no point dwelling on the latter, but there was enough of the “good” about Frome’s play for Bash fans to admit that, on the night, the better side won. The third - and game-ending - goal in Frome’s 3-1 win was an absolutely classic breakaway strike.

Although they were relegated from the Premier Division last season - by the faintest of goal-difference margins - Frome still have the nucleus of the side which took them up from our division in 2023/24.

There are several Frome players who have starred against Bashley before, notably their 32-year-old colossus of a skipper, Dan Teale, now starting his 11th season with the club. Zac Drew, David Duru and Albie Hopkins are others who will be remembered here for doing well against The Bash.

THE FUTURE 

Despite relegation, the club goes into the new season on the back of the exciting news that their new American owner will now run their stadium and has future permission to buy it. Frome Town Council has agreed to lease Badgers Hill to a company set up by Courtney Fong, the new chairman of Frome Town FC. 

Mr Fong, who is based in the United States, represents a growing trend of American involvement in English football following in the footsteps of several Premier League and Football League clubs.

The Stadium was bought by the council in 2022 after its previous owners ran into financial difficulties. Fiona Barrows, the council's chair, has said she now hopes Badgers Hill will  become "a thriving, inclusive hub for sport and community". 

Mr Fong said: "We're committed to making Frome Town FC a club that thrives on and off the pitch, with a home that's open and welcoming to all."

The official club statement said: Frome Town FC is proud to announce a new chapter in the Club's history following the acquisition of the Club by FTFC Ltd.

The change in ownership brings a renewed focus on long-term growth, community engagement, and sustainability. As part of this transition, Courtney Fong has been appointed as Chair of Frome Town FC subject to FA approval. He brings a strong background in leadership and community development and will guide the Club's strategy moving forward.

Derek Graham, who served as Chairman for many years, including leading the Club through some of its most challenging seasons, will move into a Chair Emeritus role.

Frome Town Council has now approved the lease of the Badgers Hill stadium and grounds to Badgers Hill Ltd., an entity owned by FTFC Ltd. This lease secures the future of the ground and enables long-term planning and investment. It also safeguards local ownership and creates a dedicated structure for ensuring the grounds serve the full Frome footballing community.

The clubhouse and bar will reopen for regular and special events, once again becoming a welcoming space for supporters, families, and the wider community.

"This is more than a change in ownership - it's a fresh start built on the passion and pride of our supporters and community," said incoming Chair Courtney Fong. 

"We're committed to making Frome Town FC a club that thrives on and off the pitch, with a home that's open and welcoming to all.”

The Club is aiming to fight for promotion again this season, with exciting new player signings already completed.

THE PAST

The Frome club was formed in 1904 and played in the Wiltshire Premier League. This is how their journey has panned out in the 121 years since… 

1904-1950: Early success came in the form of three Somerset Senior League Championships in between 1906 and 1911, whilst in between the Wiltshire League Championship was won in 1909-10.

The Club reached the Fifth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 1911-12 under the old format of the competition, which was today’s equivalent of the Third Round proper losing 4-1 at Southport Central, in front of a crowd of 3,366.

Frome entered the Western League in 1919 and immediately became Division 2 Champions while the Somerset FA Senior Cup was won in successive seasons 1932-22 & 1933-34 and for a third time in 1950-51. 

1950-1959: Frome have always played at Badgers Hill and the ground held its biggest gate in 1954 when 8,000 spectators saw Leyton Orient win 3-0 in the FA Cup First Round Proper. 

In the same season promotion was won to Division One of the Western League and Frome were beaten finalists in the inaugural Western League Cup.

Promotion was gained back into the Western League after a spell in the Wiltshire League again in 1962-63 where the club remained until last season. Success was gained in the Somerset Premier Cup in 1966-67 with victory over Yeovil Town in the final and the cup was shared by the same two teams in 1968-69. 

Frome’s greatest triumph came in 1978-79 when the club won the Western League. The Championship was secured by losing only once in the last 32 matches. The League Cup followed in 1979-80.

Another vintage year followed in 1982-83 with victories in both the Somerset FA Premier Cup and the Western League Cup, plus runners-up in the league.

Following those heady days, Frome flirted all too often with relegation from the Premier Division, and were relegated in 1995-96 and the Club spent several years in the lower reaches of the First Division.

1999-2010: The Club was re-structured off the field in 1999-00 but despite the ground being upgraded unfortunately success on the field did not follow with a re-structure of the league saving the Club from relegation into County football.

Frome improved rapidly and after finishing third continued upwards as they won promotion back to the Western League Premier Division after a six year absence the following year & also reached the final of the league cup.

With Frome struggling to win at home during the 2003/04 season the Club turned to the help of a local “White Witch”, Titania Hardie. This move brought huge media interest from all over the World. It worked immediately and they went on a magnificent run that saw them go on to finish 3rd in the league.

The 2004-05 season saw the Club celebrate their centenary and events on the field saw the Robins reach the Quarter-Finals of the FA Vase before eventually losing 3-0 at Jarrow Roofing.

A seventh, third and fourth placed finish saw the club continually improving and then runners-up spot in 2008-09 secured promotion into the Southern League for the first time in the Clubs history. The Somerset Premier Cup was also won with a 3-1 win over rivals Paulton Rovers.

After a poor start to life in the Southern League and a quick change of manager Frome went on an incredible unbeaten run and finished the season in sixth place and just three points from a play-off place. 12 months later and Frome beat Sholing 1-0 in the play-off final to secure promotion to the Southern Premier Division.

2010-Present: The summer of 2011 also saw the Club receive the prestigious FA Charter Standard Community Club status in 2012 after a great first season in the Southern Premier Division Frome were awarded the title of Community Club of the year for Somerset and then also picked up the regional award that took them into the national final.

Over the last two seasons the Robins have retained their league status with a further three managerial changes during that time while also finishing as runners-up in the Southern League Cup and the Somerset Premier Cup.

In 2014/15 it was a tough season, and results on the pitch meant that it went to the last day of the season to secure their safety picking up a point at home against St Neots. The 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons saw the Robins finish with their two highest positions in their league history.

In 2019, When reviewing the current club crest, Frome Town agreed that the design was too detailed and didn't display well on colour and image backgrounds with digital files no longer accessible, and changed logo to the present one.

After a difficult season Frome were relegated back to Divison 1 of the Southern League at the end of the 2018/19 season. With wholesale squad changes the 2019/20 season was much more successful before unfortunately being cut short along with the rest of football. In 2021/22 Frome finished runners up in the division, ultimately losing out in the play-offs.

In the 2023–24 season they reached the 3rd round of the FA Trophy the furthest they have gone in the competition after beating Worthing 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw at Badgers Hill.

The club went on to win promotion, that season, finishing four points behind Wimborne Town but winning the play-offs. In the semi-final they beat Mousehole 3-0 then saw off Bristol Manor Farm 3-1 in the final. 

Things were not so hot last season, the club sliding back to Division One (South).

NOTE: Winners of Saturday's game receive £1,500, losers £400. Gate receipts shared.

SHOOT-OUT: If it's a draw at 90 minutes it goes straight to penalties.

After a tense affair in Winchester last Saturday the FA Cup replay will be held at the Veho Community Stadium on Tuesday 19th August. 7.45pm kick off

AFTER the opening two Southern League matches of the season we hit the road again this Saturday for an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at Winchester City, a club we have faced many times in various competitions in recent years.

Like ourselves, the Citizens have yo-yoed around between the Wessex and Southern Leagues. We have also met them in the Hampshire Senior Cup (see below) and also in a regular pre-season club v club tournament, for the Dave Jose Trophy. 

That match could not be played this pre-season because the teams are now in the same division - the FA Cup is a different matter, however.

You could put the mortgage on the fact neither of us will be anywhere near Wembley next May, unless watching the game (!) - but there is significant prize money along the way, and at this cash-strapped level of football, that, along with pride, is an important incentive.

Neither of us have started the season particularly well. Bash squeezed past East Cowes 1-0 in the previous round, and have collected just one point from two league matches. Winchester started their league season with a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to newbies Hartpury, but lost 1-0 at Westbury in midweek.

This could be the first of three trips to Winchester for Bash this season. If we come through next weekend’s FA Trophy tie against Frome Town, the prize is a trip to… Winchester City. And then, of course, we have to go there in the League on Easter Monday next year.

It’s a Bank Holiday fixture because, strange to say, semi-distant Winchester is now our “local derby”, with only Shaftesbury anywhere else even vaguely near!

The Winchester City club was originally formed in 1884 as Winchester Swallows. In 1894 they changed their name to Winchester FC (another Winchester FC had existed between 1884 and 1893). A further name change happened on 21 July 1908 when they became Winchester City FC.

The club joined the Hampshire League for the 1898–99 season. After many years in the Hampshire League they joined the Southern League in 1971–72, but they were unable to sustain this move, and returned to the Hampshire League after only two seasons. 

In 1991–92, they won the Hampshire League Division Two, and were promoted to Division One. In 1993–94, Winchester beat Cowes Sports to win the Trophyman League Cup. The club underwent a reorganisation in 1999–2000 after a financially turbulent previous season. But they emerged from the tough period and were Division One champions again in 2000–01, earning promotion to the Premier Division, while also winning the Inter League Shield that season. 

In 2001–02, the club merged with Winchester Castle, but only managed to finish third in the league. However, the next season they won the Hampshire League title, and promotion, and completed a treble of trophies by also winning the Trophyman Cup and the Southampton Senior Cup.

The 2003–04 season turned out to be extremely successful for the club as they won the league in their first season in it, and capped it with the Wessex League Cup title, as well as beating AFC Sudbury to win the FA Vase. 

However, promotion to the Southern League was denied, as their ground did not meet the criteria set by the league. The following season saw the club have more cup success by winning the Hampshire Senior Cup. After a further title win in 2005–06, the club was admitted to the Southern League's new Division One South & West. 

In the 2008–09 the team finished 20th after a last day win at Windsor & Eton, but after the game were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player and as a result finished bottom of the table, leaving them facing relegation to the Wessex League. 

The club appealed against the decision with The Football Association but lost their case and were relegated for the 2009-10 season. Manager Shaun Brooks left the club in September and former player Stu Hussey took over, but along with his assistant manager and coaches he was sacked after a string of bad results in April 2010, resulting in Winchester appointing Glenn Cockerill as manager. However, he soon left the club and Guy Butters was put in charge.

On 9 April 2012, Winchester City earned promotion back to the Southern League with four games to spare after a 2–0 win over GE Hamble. Butters left Winchester City to further his coaching career with Football League Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion, and the Citizens announced that James Taylor would be taking over as the new manager in October 2012. 

However, City were relegated back to the Wessex Football League Premier Division for the 2013–14 season. In 2014, Winchester reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 59 years, but were beaten 3–2 by Concord Rangers. 

The following season Winchester finished 2nd in the Wessex League Premier Division and, after Flackwell Heath turned down the opportunity of promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 of the National League System, were offered the vacant space in the Southern League Division One South & West, which the club accepted. There was a famous moment in July 2018 when French football player Ousmane Dembélé played "Football Manager" for it!

Tyrell Mitford, Joe Cook and Josh Harfield left the club during the 2019-20 pre-season and into the club came Kieran Douglas, Keith Emmerson, Olly Balmer and Dan Williamson.  

City performed well during that campaign and were 4th in the league with a play-off berth looking likely when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19. City also made the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing to Taunton Town but impressive cup runs in the local competitions took place once again. City were also League Cup semi-finalists.

In 2021/22 the Citizens won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division (South) on the back-of play-off defeats of Cirencester and Frome, after finishing fourth.

The following season they held their own in the higher division, finishing comfortably clear of the drop zone in 16th place. In 2023/24 they were heading in the right direction, up to an 11th place finish - but last season came the heartbreak of relegation, finishing on the same points as the “safe” team above them, Bracknell Town, but with a five-goal deficit on goal-difference. 

INFO

STADIUM: The Charters Community Ground

ADDRESS: Hillier Way, Abbotts Barton, Winchester SO23 7SR

TELEPHONE: 07941133376

ADMISSION PRICES: 

Adults £13.50; 

65+ and disabled £10; 

Students & Under-18s £6; 

Age 12-16 £3.50; 

Under 12s Free; 

Armed Forces Free (with ID)

WE don’t see them for a year, then our friends from Frome will pop up twice in 11 days! On Tuesday evening it’s our first home Southern League match of the new season - a week on Saturday the Robins fly back here for a preliminary round match in the FA Trophy.

While we were happy with our battling 2-2 draw at Falmouth on Saturday, Frome were delighting a near-500 crowd with a 3-0 cakewalk against Tavistock. It was rated by Frome fans as the first time since December that they had dominated a game from start to finish.

They also reckon they have already seen their “goal-of-the-season” - a blistering 30-yarder by Albie Hopkins which set them on their way. Bash fans will remember Hopkins as a tricky little winger who has caused us problems in the past and clearly will have to be watched closely on Tuesday.

There are several other long-serving Frome players who have been to Bashley before, notably their 32-year-old skipper Dan Teale, now starting his 11th season with the club. Zac Drew and David Duru are others who will be remembered here for doing well against The Bash.

They all helped Frome to win promotion in 2023/24 but the men from “BA11” found life tougher higher up the scale in the Premier Division and were relegated back to our sphere for this new campaign.

However, the club goes into the new season on the back of the exciting news that their new American owner will now run their stadium and has future permission to buy it.

THE FUTURE

Frome Town Council has agreed to lease Badgers Hill to a company set up by Courtney Fong, the new chairman of Frome Town FC. 

Mr Fong, who is based in the United States, represents a growing trend of American involvement in English football following in the footsteps of several Premier League and Football League clubs.

The Stadium was bought by the council in 2022 after its previous owners ran into financial difficulties. Fiona Barrows, the council's chair, has said she now hopes Badgers Hill will  become "a thriving, inclusive hub for sport and community". 

Mr Fong said: "We're committed to making Frome Town FC a club that thrives on and off the pitch, with a home that's open and welcoming to all."

The official club statement said: Frome Town FC is proud to announce a new chapter in the Club's history following the acquisition of the Club by FTFC Ltd.

The change in ownership brings a renewed focus on long-term growth, community engagement, and sustainability. As part of this transition, Courtney Fong has been appointed as Chair of Frome Town FC subject to FA approval. He brings a strong background in leadership and community development and will guide the Club's strategy moving forward.

Derek Graham, who served as Chairman for many years, including leading the Club through some of its most challenging seasons, will move into a Chair Emeritus role.

Frome Town Council has now approved the lease of the Badgers Hill stadium and grounds to Badgers Hill Ltd., an entity owned by FTFC Ltd. This lease secures the future of the ground and enables long-term planning and investment. It also safeguards local ownership and creates a dedicated structure for ensuring the grounds serve the full Frome footballing community.

The clubhouse and bar will reopen for regular and special events, once again becoming a welcoming space for supporters, families, and the wider community.

"This is more than a change in ownership - it's a fresh start built on the passion and pride of our supporters and community," said incoming Chair Courtney Fong. 

"We're committed to making Frome Town FC a club that thrives on and off the pitch, with a home that's open and welcoming to all.”

The Club is aiming to fight for promotion again this season, with exciting new player signings already completed.

THE PAST

The Frome club was formed in 1904 and played in the Wiltshire Premier League. This is how their journey has panned out in the 121 years since… 

1904-1950: Early success came in the form of three Somerset Senior League Championships in between 1906 and 1911, whilst in between the Wiltshire League Championship was won in 1909-10.

The Club reached the Fifth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 1911-12 under the old format of the competition, which was today’s equivalent of the Third Round proper losing 4-1 at Southport Central, in front of a crowd of 3,366.

Frome entered the Western League in 1919 and immediately became Division 2 Champions while the Somerset FA Senior Cup was won in successive seasons 1932-22 & 1933-34 and for a third time in 1950-51. 

1950-1959: Frome have always played at Badgers Hill and the ground held its biggest gate in 1954 when 8,000 spectators saw Leyton Orient win 3-0 in the FA Cup First Round Proper. 

In the same season promotion was won to Division One of the Western League and Frome were beaten finalists in the inaugural Western League Cup.

Promotion was gained back into the Western League after a spell in the Wiltshire League again in 1962-63 where the club remained until last season. Success was gained in the Somerset Premier Cup in 1966-67 with victory over Yeovil Town in the final and the cup was shared by the same two teams in 1968-69. 

Frome’s greatest triumph came in 1978-79 when the club won the Western League. The Championship was secured by losing only once in the last 32 matches. The League Cup followed in 1979-80.

Another vintage year followed in 1982-83 with victories in both the Somerset FA Premier Cup and the Western League Cup, plus runners-up in the league.

Following those heady days, Frome flirted all too often with relegation from the Premier Division, and were relegated in 1995-96 and the Club spent several years in the lower reaches of the First Division.

1999-2010: The Club was re-structured off the field in 1999-00 but despite the ground being upgraded unfortunately success on the field did not follow with a re-structure of the league saving the Club from relegation into County football.

Frome improved rapidly and after finishing third continued upwards as they won promotion back to the Western League Premier Division after a six year absence the following year & also reached the final of the league cup.

With Frome struggling to win at home during the 2003/04 season the Club turned to the help of a local “White Witch”, Titania Hardie. This move brought huge media interest from all over the World. It worked immediately and they went on a magnificent run that saw them go on to finish 3rd in the league.

The 2004-05 season saw the Club celebrate their centenary and events on the field saw the Robins reach the Quarter-Finals of the FA Vase before eventually losing 3-0 at Jarrow Roofing.

A seventh, third and fourth placed finish saw the club continually improving and then runners-up spot in 2008-09 secured promotion into the Southern League for the first time in the Clubs history. The Somerset Premier Cup was also won with a 3-1 win over rivals Paulton Rovers.

After a poor start to life in the Southern League and a quick change of manager Frome went on an incredible unbeaten run and finished the season in sixth place and just three points from a play-off place. 12 months later and Frome beat Sholing 1-0 in the play-off final to secure promotion to the Southern Premier Division.

The summer of 2011 also saw the Club receive the prestigious FA Charter Standard Community Club status in 2012 after a great first season in the Southern Premier Division Frome were awarded the title of Community Club of the year for Somerset and then also picked up the regional award that took them into the national final.

Over the last two seasons the Robins have retained their league status with a further three managerial changes during that time while also finishing as runners-up in the Southern League Cup and the Somerset Premier Cup.

In 2014/15 it was a tough season, and results on the pitch meant that it went to the last day of the season to secure their safety picking up a point at home against St Neots. The 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons saw the Robins finish with their two highest positions in their league history.

In 2019, When reviewing the current club crest, Frome Town agreed that the design was too detailed and didn't display well on colour and image backgrounds with digital files no longer accessible, and changed logo to the present one.

After a difficult season Frome were relegated back to Divison 1 of the Southern League at the end of the 2018/19 season. With wholesale squad changes the 2019/20 season was much more successful before unfortunately being cut short along with the rest of football. In 2021/22 Frome finished runners up in the division, ultimately losing out in the play-offs.

In the 2023–24 season they reached the 3rd round of the FA Trophy the furthest they have gone in the competition after beating Worthing 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw at Badgers Hill.

The club went on to win promotion, that season, finishing four points behind Wimborne Town but winning the play-offs. In the semi-final they beat Mousehole 3-0 then saw off Bristol Manor Farm 3-1 in the final. 

Things were not so hot last season, the club sliding back to Division One (South).

THE pre-season friendlies are over, the first hurdle in the FA Cup has been cleared - narrowly, but safely cleared! - and now it’s on to the serious business of Southern League Division One (South) football.

And there’s an instant reminder for The Bash and their loyal fans, of just how widespread this division is because Saturday’s first game brings up one of the season’s longest journeys, to Falmouth, on the southern tip of Cornwall.

It was a happy hunting ground - well happy-ish - for Bashley last season, with a handsome 3-0 win. Not-so-handsome was having two players harshly sent off! 

It completed a notable double for Bashley, having won the home encounter 2-1 a few weeks earlier. (See details of last season’s two games below).

The Falmouth club is rated, historically, as the strongest in Cornwall. It was established in 1949 and joined the Cornwall Senior League for the 1950–51 season. In 1951 they were founder members of the South Western League. They finished bottom of the league in 1952–53 and again in 1954–55, but won their first trophy in 1957–58, by beating Newquay 1–0 in the League Cup final. 

They were league runners-up the following season, also retaining the League Cup with a 6–3 win over Truro City in the final. In 1961–62 they won the league for the first time, also winning the League Cup and the Cornwall Senior Cup, thrashing St Blazey 7–1 in the Senior Cup final. 

The following season saw them become the first club from Cornwall ever to reach the first round of the FA Cup, winning through four qualifying rounds before eventually losing 2–1 at home to Fourth Division Oxford United in front of a record crowd of 8,000. In 1964–65 the club missed out on a second league title by one point after being deducted two points. However, they won the league the following season.

In 1967–68 Falmouth reached the first round of the FA Cup for a second time, this time losing 5–2 at Third Division Peterborough United. The season also saw them win the South Western League title for a third time. Another appearance in the first round in 1969–70 resulted in another defeat to Peterborough, this time losing 4–1 at home. 

However, the club went on to win the four consecutive South Western League titles between 1970–71 and 1973–74, also winning the League Cup and Cornwall Senior Cup in 1970–71, a season in which they remained unbeaten in all three competitions; over the next three seasons they only lost five league matches.

Falmouth’s dominance in local football led the club to move up to the Western League in 1974. The club's first season in the league saw them win the league and League Cup double without losing a game. They then won the league for the next three seasons, marking eight consecutive league titles. This included a 58-match unbeaten stretch in the league that saw them go unbeaten in the Western League until January 1976.

In 1978–79 Falmouth finished eighth in the Western League and the following season saw them finish in the bottom half. In 1983 the club withdrew from the league due to increased travelling costs. However, an application to rejoin the South Western League was rejected and they dropped into the Cornwall Combination. After winning the Combination at the first attempt, they were allowed to rejoin the South Western League.

The club went on to win back-to-back league titles in 1985–86 and 1986–87 and again in 1988–89 and 1989–90. Further league titles followed in 1991–92, 1996–97 and 1999–2000. When the South Western League merged with the Devon County League to form the South West Peninsula League in 2007, the club were placed in the Premier Division of the new league. 

In 2017–18 they won the League Cup, beating Tavistock 4–2 after extra time in the final. At the start of the following season the club won the league's Charity Bowl with a 2–1 win over Plymouth Parkway.

Following league reorganisation at the end of the 2018–19 season, Falmouth were placed in the Premier Division West. In 2021–22 they won the Cornwall Senior Cup and were Premier Division West champions. This earned promotion to the Premier Division of the Western League after a forty-year absence.

In 2023–24 they won the Cornwall Senior Cup again, and were Premier Division runners-up to Helston Athletic, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Barnstaple Town 3–1 in the semi-finals, Falmouth defeated Clevedon Town 2–0 in the final to secure promotion to Division One South of the Southern League for the first time in their history.

And - despite those two losses to Bashley! - they finished a very respectable ninth in the table, having been in the fringe of the play-off line all season.

FALMOUTH FC DETAILS

STADIUM: Bickland Park

THE club initially played at Falmouth Recreation Ground, before moving to Union Corner when they joined the South Western League. Over 1,200 spectators attended the club's first South Western League match on 18 August 1951. Shortly afterwards the club bought two fields at Ashfield, where a new ground was built. However, this was soon sold to Shell-Mex & BP for £20,000. The money allowed them to build a new ground at Bickland Park, where floodlights were installed in 1973. The stadium has covered stands on all four sides, three of those for standing.

ADDRESS: Bickland Hill, Falmouth, TR11 4PB

TELEPHONE: 01326 375156

ADMISSION PRICES: Adults £10, OAP’s £5, Ages 12-18 £5, Under-12 Free.

PRE-SEASON is over - now it’s down to the serious business and an intriguing FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against East Cowes Victoria on Saturday August 2nd (Veho Community Stadium, 3pm).

The Isle of Wight side come here on the crest of a wave - not only via the ferry trip(!), but also because they are all set for their return to the Premier Division of the Wessex League having won last season’s Division One play-off final. 

If you are into football trivia then these two clubs are made for you! Bashley is surely, by a huge distance, the smallest community with a club playing at Step 4 level, just four promotions from the Football League - and as for East Cowes Victoria Athletic Football Club, they just happen to have the longest club name registered with the English FA!

The Vics - to give them their more manageable name! - were formed in 1885. The Victoria part derives from the fact that the ground in Beatrice Avenue is part of the crown estate and in the area owned by Osborne House, the home of Queen Victoria. 

For the first 30 years the club played only in the Island leagues. In 1889 the Isle of Wight F.A. introduced cup competitions including the Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup, this trophy is reported to be the most valuable football trophy in the world, being made of solid gold. 

The only drawback is that if you win the Gold Cup you can’t keep it! Most clubs insure it for the annual presentation night and then return it to the bank.

In 1947 Vics joined Division 3 of the Hampshire League and spent nine seasons there, followed by eighteen seasons in Division 2 and twelve in Division 1.

Without doubt their most successful period was under the guidance of Graham Daish, who built a squad of all Island players good enough to win Hampshire League Division One Championship twice, the first time remaining unbeaten all season. The club also won the Isle of Wight Gold Cup seven times during this period.

One of the most important years in the club’s long history was 1968, when they amalgamated with an East Cowes Junior side: East Cowes Athletic - thus becoming East Cowes Victoria Athletic.

The hard work of the committee enabled the club to progress into the Wessex League for the start of the 1987/88 season. Although the club lost key players before the start of the season they still managed to finish in 8th place and win the Wessex League Cup beating Romsey Town 2-0.

Then later, following relegation, the club formed a new committee and finished 4th in the Hampshire Premier Division. In 2001/02 season the Vics had their best season in recent years, when they narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Wessex League, finishing runners-up to Alton Town; but they did win the Hampshire Trophy-man Cup beating Liss Athletic 1-0.

In season 2003/04 Vics returned to the Wessex League after the Football Association’s restructuring of the leagues and have continued ever since in Wessex Division One.

The last few seasons proved difficult for the club, but under the guidance of Manager Steve Brougham and his committed dugout team this came good for 2018/19 where the squad performed well finishing mid-table.

Richie Woodburn took over the managerial role when Steve Brougham stepped down and with Assistant Darren Arnold, saw us begin to climb the table early in the 2020-21 season until Covid closed down football.

The 2023/24 season saw the 1st team finish in 6th place just missing out on goal difference for a play-off spot under manager Alex Smith and the reserves finished runners up in the HCDL under manager Stuart Simmonds, who has now taken up the role as assistant manager with the 1st team.

The icing on the cake for last season was promotion to the Wessex Premier Division for the 2025/26 season, having beaten Frimley Green in the Division One Play-off final.

So the the future looks good for all the Vics teams as the club continues at the heart of its local community.

FOOTNOTE: If Saturday’s match is drawn at 90 minutes there will be no extra-time or penalties, but a replay next Tuesday at Cowes. The winners will be away to Winchester City in the next round on Saturday August 16th.

PROGRAMME: The matchday programme, available at the stadium, features an interview with Bashley Director of Football Dave Lewis, who fondly remembers his time involved with Isle of Wight football.

THERE is one person in the Bashley camp who knows Totton & Eling FC inside out - and that is our chairman, Steve Lewis, who was previously chairman at Millers Park in 2023/24.

The club has a rich history. Formed in 1925 as Bramtoco FC, it was made up of workers from the British American Tobacco company. The name was changed to BAT Sports FC in 1971, the year the club entered the Hampshire League.

Progress was good and T&E moved up through the divisions of the Hampshire League winning Division 3 in 1975, before becoming champions of the top division in both 1988 and 1989.

In May 2006 BAT (the company) sold Southern Gardens to Linden Homes (developers), so after much deliberation the club ended up losing the first team and continued with the reserve team playing in the Wessex Division 2 for the 2006/07 season. 

At the start of the next season, due to league restructuring the club was promoted to Wessex Division 1, with a reserve team resurrected. There was also a change of club name to Totton & Eling, also changing from Blue & Yellow kit to the current Red & Black colours.

The club was given the nickname of “The Millers”. No longer associated with BAT (the company), T&E  started off well, until the Christmas 2007, when they hit a slump. Pip Gates joined the Board as chairman and Kevin Dawtry joined Andy Tipp as managers with Chris Tona as assistant. 

Things turned around quite quickly, and a great surge after Christmas saw the club finish 5th in the League.

The 2008/09 season was one of great optimism with a new purpose built ground on the horizon; the optimism  proved right as they stormed to the league title at a canter ending up with 100 points, winning three club of the month awards, and promotion to the Premier Division.

In the first season back in the Wessex top flight, Totton & Eling finished in the top seven and won the Russell Cotes Cup against Southern League opposition away from home.

In 2009/10 they moved to their new home at “Millers Park”. The season started well, but it took a while to get used to the new home, and as the season progressed they found opponents enjoyed playing at Millers Park as well, so the season stuttered to a close in mid table.

Last season was a mixed bag for Totton & Eling and after a good start they dropped off but were safe before the last few games of the season.

This season Totton & Eling will again be competing in the Wessex League Division One, with Josh Nash

Andy Tipp, current Totton & Eling chairman said. “we are looking forward to playing Bash and reacquainting with our old chairman”

BARTON ROVERS are making their first-ever visit to Bashley - because of a little-known link between the clubs.

Peter Burr, now one of the loyal volunteer ground crew at Bashley, was previously a long-serving committee official with Rovers - he has kept in touch with them, and suggested this fixture. So Peter is the ideal man to tell us more about them.

He said: “Barton Rovers, like The Bash, are a village-based club who many agree have punched above their weight for many years. They are based in Bedfordshire, between Luton and Bedford, where I used to live. I started watching them in season 1976/77 - and then spent 40 years as part of their committee.

“The club was promoted to the Isthmian League a season after playing in the FA Vase final, where they were edged out 2-1 by Newcastle Blue Star at Wembley. 

“Like most clubs at our level there have been ups and downs along the way but Rovers have held on to their Step 4 status, and come close to more honours. In the last few years they have lost twice in the play-off finals and last season lost narrowly in the semi-final - 2-0 to Flackwell Heath after finishing fourth in the league.

“The progress made under Darren Whiley, who is one of the longest-serving chairmen at Step 4 level, is a credit to all at the club, as is their ambition for yet more progress. Last season’s new pitch barrier, and the arrival of the ‘Gorgeous George Stand’ behind the dugouts, were added to by new LED floodlights - which hopefully will illuminate a bright future for them!

“I enjoyed every season I spent at Barton but after moving South four years ago I have also enjoyed my football at the Bash. I just wish our furthest away game now was only 43 miles away - as Barton’s is - and not our 260 miles to Mousehole (lovely people though they are down in deepest Cornwall!)”

Home for the Rovers is Barton-le-Clay, a Bedfordshire village of 5,000 people. The club was formed in 1898, playing inter-village football for the first 50 years until 1946/47 when they joined the Luton & District League.

They hovered around the upper sections of that League until lift-off with a decade-long spell of success after promotion back to the Premier Division. They finished third on four occasions and runners-up once. They then went on to win three successive titles between 1970–71 and 1972–73, and after a third-place finish in 1973–74, they won five consecutive titles. 

The club also saw success in the FA Vase; in 1975-76 they reached the quarter-finals, and the following season saw them reach the semi-finals, where they lost 3–1 to Sheffield. They went one better in 1977-78, reaching the final, where they lost 2–1 to Newcastle Blue Star.

Rovers moved up to Division Two of the Isthmian League in 1979. The 1980-81 season saw them reach the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time, eventually losing 2–0 at Torquay United. The following season they reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase again, losing 2–1 to Rainworth Miners Welfare. Division One Central in 2010.

After so many years of hopping between Leagues, Barton have now settled in the Southern League Division One (Central) - and, as Peter said, narrowly missed out on promotion last season. They play their home matches at Sharpenhoe Road in Barton-le-Clay. The ground has a capacity of 4,000, of which 160 is seated and 1,120 is covered.

FAREHAM TOWN come here on the crest of a wave, having won promotion from last season’s Wessex League Premier via a dramatic play-off final victory against Andover New Street.

A best-of-recent-years crowd of 1103 saw Fareham take an early lead with a screamer of a shot from Alfie Bridgeman. Just six minutes gone and the stage was set. 

It was far from an easy task, however, and New Street were making an impression early in the second half. Then suddenly Farnham had breathing space. In their first attack of the half Joe Ryan sped into the area and was brought down. 

Stan Bridgman converted the spot kick - but still Andover refused to lay down and  on 72 minutes they were back in the game with a Lewis Williams header. It got hectic in the closing stages but Fareham held on and will now play in the Isthmian South Central this season.

Bashley and Fareham were last together in the Wessex Premier, back in that Black and Golden glory season back in 2021/22, the year Bash finished second and gained promotion. Fareham finished 12th that season. They were last here on March 26th 2022, and were on the wrong end of a 5-0 walloping - featuring a hat-trick by a certain Matt Tubbs - and Bash also won, 3-1, at Fareham earlier in that season.

The Fareham Town club was formed in 1947 - the same year as Bashley - when three local sides Fareham FC, Fareham Brotherhood FC and Fareham Youth Centre FC amalgamated together after at a public meeting in the town in 1946, it was suggested to form a football club for the town.

The club joined the Portsmouth League and started playing their games at Beaconsfield Meadow, before moving to Bath Lane. At the end of the 1948–49 season the club gained promotion to Division 3 (East) of the Hampshire League, and gained promotion to Division Two as champions at the first attempt.

The club made further progress in the 1952–53 season when they finished as Runners-up in Division Two to gain promotion to Division One. Three seasons later the club then made its debut in the FA Cup, making it to the fourth qualifying round before being knocked out by Wycombe Wanderers.

In 1959–60 the club won Division One for the first time. Further success would follow when the club won Division One, five consecutive seasons from the 1962–63 campaign. They won the league twice more during the 1970s. In 1975 the club moved to its present home of the Cams Alders ground.

With the club finishing runners up in the 1978–79 campaign they successfully joined the Southern Football League, starting in the Southern Division. In the 1982–83 season Fareham was placed in the Premier Division of the league, when the league was re-structured. 

The club spent the next seven seasons in the Premier Division, during which time they reached the Semi-finals of the FA Trophy before losing to the eventual winners Kidderminster Harriers. 

At the end of the 1988–89 campaign the club finished 19th and were relegated to the Southern Division, where they spent the next nine seasons. During this time the club won the Hampshire Senior Cup for the fourth time, beating Farnborough Town 4–1 in the final.

At the end of the 1997–98 season the club, decided to move down to the Wessex League, due to the finances involved in staying in the Southern League. Since then they remained in the top division of the Wessex League until the 2024-2025 when they finally broke out with that play-off win.

THE match against a strong AFC Bournemouth Development squad will have special significance because proceeds from the night will go into the fund which was set up for Jordan Chiedozie.

Jordan’s football career began at the then Dean Court as a trainee with AFC Bournemouth, the highlight coming when he was part of their squad for a friendly match against Real Madrid at Dean Court in 2013.

Inspired by his Dad John’s successful career, Jordan had joined the Bournemouth Academy in 2007 and remained there as a promising prospect until 2014 when he signed for Poole Town.

A brief spell with Concord Rangers led to some League appearances with Cambridge United before exceptional goalscoring success on a return to Concord Rangers and also at Margate, where Jordan scored 29 goals in 39 games in 2017/18.

After spells with Chelmsford City, Bishop’s Stortford, Braintree, Ramsgate, AFC Totton, Poole and Sholing again, Jordan arrived at Bashley this New Year, but played only four games for us before tragedy struck.

The story does not need re-telling of what happened on that awful night of February 1st or of the life-changing, career-ending injuries that Jordan suffered, but what IS worth telling is that Jordan has now making good progress up the long path to the best recovery he can possibly make from his multiple injuries - and he is eternally grateful for the way the “football community” reacted to support him, not only financially, via the fund set up in his name by his fellow-Bashley players, but also with messages of sympathy and encouragement.

Clubs and supporters, not only from our division but from all over the country, were shocked by what had happened, and although he was well on the way to establishing himself as a crowd favourite at Bashley, football fans from far and wide reacted as though Jordan was “one of their own.”

When we played at Bishops Cleeve, in March, their club not only held a collection for Jordan, but also featured him on the cover of their matchday programme.

Jordan's perseverance to make a top career in Non-League football will be an inspiration to the young players who come here with the AFCB Development squad. Jordan did not quite make the big breakthrough into an EFL or Premier career, and, on the law of averages, maybe nor will many of the youngsters here in Bournemouth colours - but even so there will be some seriously gifted players on view.

One likely starter for them will be considered by Bashley fans, to be an absolute certainty to make it big - goalkeeper Mack Allan. He’s well-known for being the grandson of the late, great Alan Ball. 

However, if his starring roles so many times in Bashley colours while on loan here last season are a guide, young Mack could one day be better known in his own right… as an England goalkeeper!

If he makes it to England he will be, literally, "keeping" it in the family - not only with Grandpa Alan, but also cousin James McAtee, who recently captained England Under-21s to the European title.

The game at the Veho Community Stadium will be the first of pre-season for coach Alan Connell’s AFCB development squad. They will then face Crystal Palace at Beckenham on  Tuesday, July 15th before a home game against the National League Eastleigh on Saturday, July 19.

Then the Bournemouth youngsters will head to Spain for a training camp, before travelling to Woking’s Laithwaite Community Stadium to face the Cardinals on Saturday, August 2.

Connell’s squad had a successful 2024/25, reaching the final of the Professional Development League playoffs. They reached that stage having beaten Burnley 4-3 in the semifinals, a victory that was their 14th win in a row.

That remarkable run saw the Cherries soar up the table, eventually finishing top of the south group. However, in the play-off final they they were beaten 3-2 by Brentford at the Vitality Stadium.

There’s no doubt this will be a night to remember at the Veho Community Stadium - and even if you are a Saints fan (step forward Chairman Steve!) you will undoubtedly appreciate some of the talent on display - certain to be a strong test for The Bash.

FIRST up in our varied and interesting pre-season schedule is Aldershot Town FC, the now-thriving “offspring” of the original first League club in North Hampshire.

For nearly 40 years it’s been a serious rollercoaster ride for the Shots and their ever-loyal fans - unfortunately with probably more “downs” than ups.

However, they come here on the crest of a pretty big wave! Their last first team fixture was the final of the 2024/25 FA Trophy where they cruised impressively to a  3-0 defeat of Spennymoor Town in front of 38,600 at Wembley. For that they collected a handy £60,000 in prize money on top of a total of £50k collected along the way for winning their respective round matches.

The final - the first Wembley visit in the history of any of the “Aldershots” past or present - was the icing on the cake, although one of the tastiest bites of all was edging out bitter local rivals Woking in the semi-final in front of a 7,058 crowd at The Rec.

A much less happy occasion was March 25th 1992, when the old Aldershot FC became the first Football League team to fold during the season since Accrington Stanley in 1962. Re-born the following season as Aldershot Town, the club retained the right to play at the Recreation Ground. 

Initially placed in the Isthmian League Third Division, they won the league in their debut 1992–93 season and won promotion out of the Second Division the following season.

In 1997/98 they won the First Division title, then the Premier Division in 2002–03 to gain a place in the Conference. They spent five seasons in the Conference, losing twice in the play-offs, before winning promotion into the Football League in 2007–08.

They spent five seasons in League Two, reaching the play-offs in 2010, though were relegated back into non-League football and entered administration in May 2013. They rose again and reached the National League play-offs in 2017 and 2018 - and their firm intention now is to regain a place in the EFL.

Bashley committee member Roger Ware has memories of the old days following The Shots as a youngster when he and his family lived near Camberley - roughly halfway between Aldershot and Reading.

Roger said: “Reading - the Biscuitmen as they were back then - were my Dad’s favourites, but the fixtures were usually staggered, so we went to Reading one week and Aldershot the next. Both teams were in the old Division Three (South) and alternating who to watch was fine - until it came to the matches between them! I guess we were hoping for a draw, although admittedly, deep down, we favoured Reading.

“There were some great players at the ‘Rec’ - which is still the home of Aldershot Town today, although much-improved since those times of the Fifties and Sixties - Bill Lacey, a striker who went on to play for both clubs, Jack Howarth a prodigious scorer, Tommy McAnearney, later Aldershot manager, and one I particularly remember, a winger with a bullet shot, Bobby Howfield.

“He used to hit the ball so hard that he caught the attention of scouts from the American Football NFL and went to the States as a ‘kicker’. He played for the Denver Broncos between 1968 and 70, then the New York Jets until 1974.”

Tim Sills, the Wimborne Town manager was an Aldershot favourite between 2003 and 2011, and a certain Brett Williams scored 43 goals in 102 appearances between 2011 and 2013.

It's unlikely we will see too many of the triumphant Shots Cup-winning squad at the Veho, but their B-team and Development squad have more than enough top quality players to provide a serious test for Jack Wiliamson's new-look team.

EVERY club enters a new season with the vision of ending it with a trophy. That eluded Bashley’s first team this time around - but there is still a chance of some new silverware in the trophy room at the Veho Community Stadium before the curtain comes down on 2024/25.

On Friday evening (16th) Bashley Under-23s will face the development team of neighbours New Milton in the final of the Hampshire FA Combination & Development League John Stimpson Memorial Shield. The match is at Hythe and Dibden’s stadium (7.45).

The Bash Under-23s’ league season was interrupted several times by postponements - but Jack Williamson’s team has marched on in the Cup.

Jack, currently first team coach as well as Under-23s manager, is confident that he has a squad which can now complete the job.

He said: “Whatever the level there is always a buzz about playing in a cup final, especially for those who have not experienced that before.

“Our season at Under-23 level has been a bit disjointed by postponements, but we have come through five rounds of this competition and we are looking forward to rounding it off with the trophy.

“It certainly won’t be easy because despite playing this at Hythe, there’s a lot of local pride at stake, and New Milton will be keen to get one over on us. 

“But we have some exciting young players coming through, and I’m sure they will do us proud on the night.

“The Under-23s represent an important pathway for the club, and we’ve had several lads from this season's squad getting a taste of first team football. 

“Young Jamie Power, for example, was outstanding when he got his chance at right back in the last few games of the season, and others like Sam Bradford and Sam Lewis also gained valuable matchday experience. 

Another youngster making rapid progress is Muhammed Basiru Jammeh (Bas).

“And don’t forget that Scott Bungay also began the season as, technically, an Under-23. He was hindered mid-season by injury but I’m confident the best is yet to come from him.

“As for the final - I know that we will have a good following of our ever-loyal fans, and I’m confident we can give them plenty to be proud of.”

HOW TO GET TO THE MATCH

STADIUM: Hythe Garage Services Stadium

ADDRESS: Clayfields, Claypits Lane, Southampton SO45 5TN

DIRECTIONS: Head for Beaulieu then out towards Fawley and then Dibden Purlieu on the B3054. At junction roundabout at Dibden Purlieu, turn left onto the A326 Applemore Hill. At next roundabout, with Tesco Superstore on right, take right turn then straight on at next mini roundabout by Tesco Petrol into Sizer Way towards Dibden. At mini roundabout with road to Dibden Golf Centre, turn right on Challenger Way then left into Claypits Lane. The ground is then on the right.

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Bashley currently sit exactly in the middle - fourth - of the seven teams in the Hampshire U23 Development Premier Division. The table is led by AFC Totton, followed by Winchester City and Fareham - the bottom three are Dorchester, Stoneham and Weymouth. 

The Bash still have two remaining league fixtures, away to Fareham Town on May 22nd (7.45) and May 28th against AFC Totton.

IT may be appropriate for Bashley to end a rather frustrating season by facing another long-distance away trip to play a team who still have a faint hope of being crowned champions on the final day. 

Evesham have had a terrific season. Two weeks ago they nudged long-term leaders Yate out of top place only to have the positions reversed on Saturday when Evesham lost to an added-time goal at Bishops Cleeve while Yate completed an impressive 3-0 local derby win at Bristol Manor Farm. 

That gave Yate a three-points and goal-difference advantage of two, so as it stands, a draw at home to Didcot will be good enough for Yate to win the title, regardless of how well Evesham do against Bash. Whatever the outcome, however, Evesham will at least be No1 seed in the play-offs.

The only good news about having to go up to deepest Worcestershire on this particular day is that it will give the Bashley players, and the few hardy fans who make the journey, a a first-hand taste of what top-notch success looks like. All set, dare we say, for a similar tilt at success ourselves next season!

Evesham have had a terrific 2024/25, finding their peak at just the right moment coming down the final few furlongs. They won five of their six games in March, and drew the other one. Before last Saturday they had won four out of their previous five games, and drawn the other, all without conceding a goal… that’s impressive - and losing so narrowly to in-form play-off certainties Bishops Cleeve is excusable, although deeply frustrating for them.

So just that one late goal conceded in the last six games indicates that Evesham might just have a decent defence - an ideal time, perhaps, for young Scott Bungay's luck in front of goal to change after his recent lean scoring spell.

Similar to Bashley, the Evesham United Football Club of today, dates from just after the Second World War when soldiers returning from action reformed the club and immediately joined the Worcestershire League. 

The same scenario applied at Bash, where the land for the football field was provided partly to give sports recreation to returning Services personnel.

However, a club did exist in Evesham prior to the War, the “Town” reaching the FA Amateur Cup Final in 1923, losing 2-1 after extra time to London Caledonians at Crystal Palace. Starting in the 1951/52 season, in the club’s first five years in the Worcestershire Combination, they were League Champions twice and runners-up on two occasions, their lowest position being third in that first season. 

In 1956 they left to join the Birmingham League and followed this with a move to the Warwickshire League in 1959 before returning to the Worcester League (old Midland Combination) in 1963. They won the league title four times (1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, and 1991/92) and reached the Challenge Cup Final on six occasions, lifting the trophy in 1988 and 1992. Initially, the club played at Crown Meadow, moving to Common Road in 1968 and opening the clubhouse in 1975. 

A terrific season in 1991/92 saw the club complete a memorable double of Midland Combination Premier Division Champions, thus achieving promotion to the Southern League Midlands Division for the first time, and the Combination Challenge Cup. They also reached the quarter-final of the F.A. Vase before losing to eventual finalists Guiseley. Some £5,000 was spent on the ground and they marked their first season in the Southern League by finishing in a creditable 15th position. 

A number of managers and poor seasons followed, but in November 2003, former Coventry City defender, David Busst, was appointed. Busst took over a club struggling near the foot of the Dr. 

Martens League Western Division but managed to turn things around and Evesham eventually finished mid-table in the 03/04 season. 

The 2004/05 campaign saw Evesham in the Southern League Division One West, with Busst in charge with the experienced Paul West as his assistant. It was a season to remember for the Robins earning a place in the play-offs. A 2-1 victory against Ashford Town (Middlesex) paired Evesham with local rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in the play-off final. A crowd of over 800 squeezed into Common Road to witness Evesham romp to a 4-0 win and promotion to the Southern League Premier Division for the first time in their history. 

After a poor run of results, Busst left in February 2006 and West stepped up to take over. Despite a marked improvement, Evesham were relegated on the final day of the season, finishing just one point behind Northwood. After selling their Common Road ground for housing, Evesham entered into a ground share agreement with Worcester City, whilst moves were being put in place to build a new stadium on the southern outskirts of Evesham. 

In 2006/07, Evesham lifted the Worcestershire Senior Cup for the first time, beating Stourbridge 2-1. The play-offs were also reached but unfortunately, a late goal ensured Bromsgrove Rovers a narrow 1-0 win and eventual promotion. 

Season 2007/08 turned out to be one of the most memorable in the club’s history. The club took Blue Square Premier Halifax Town to a replay in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing 2-1 at the Shay. In the Carlsberg Trophy, West’s side reached the 3rd Qualifying Round, before going out at Blue Square North Redditch United after a replay. 

However, it was Evesham’s league form that caught the imagination. After a poor start, Evesham put together a remarkable run of results and stormed to the top of the British Gas Midlands Division. Only two more reversals followed in 34 league games and West’s side clinched the Championship ahead of Leamington with a game to spare. A massive 91 points were bagged in 40 games. 

In 2008/09 Evesham returned to the Southern Premier Division and finishing in a creditable 9th position. They reached the 1st Round Proper of the F.A. Cup for the first time in their history before bowing out to Torquay United at Plainmoor and completed a second Worcestershire Senior Cup win in three seasons when defeating Kidderminster Harriers in the final. 2009/10 was a season of struggles as the Robins finished in 16th place. After being just outside the play-offs when the bad weather disrupted the season, a disastrous run of only 2 wins in the last 25 games saw them in freefall. 

Season 2010/11 was again a time of contrasting fortunes with the club in the drop zone at Christmas and staring relegation in the face. However, some shrewd signings saw the club enjoy a tremendous run of form and climb the table to finish in a respectable 12th spot. 

After five and a half years at the helm Paul West and Leon West called time on one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Matt Clarke was appointed as the new Manager at the end of November 2011. Season 2011/12 was a disappointment with the club being relegated from the Southern Premier Division. 

After spending six years ground sharing at Worcester City Football Club the Robins began the 2012/13 season in Division One South & West at their new Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium. 

A mediocre start to the 2012/13 season saw Matt Clarke and Rob Elmes resign from their positions with Paul West returning to see the team through to the end of the season. 

West departed in early May 2013 and was replaced by former West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland midfielder Shaun Cunnington. The squad was re-vamped with high hopes for a successful 2013/14 campaign. 

However after a series of poor results Cunnington resigned his position at the end of October, with former Bishops Cleeve manager Paul Collicutt taking over as the new permanent boss. Season 2013/14 was a disappointing one for the Robins who finished 16th in the South & West Division. 

Season 2014/15 is remembered as one of success and heartache for the club. The Robins enjoyed an excellent run in the FA Cup before bowing out to Conference South side Bromley in the Fourth Qualifying Round after beating higher-graded Redditch United and Histon on the way. 

Following the FA Cup exit, a remarkable run of form resulted in just one defeat in 28 league games and a second-place finish in the South & West Division behind Champion Merthyr Town. However, despite home advantage in the play-offs Evesham suffered a disappointing defeat against Larkhall Athletic. 

Season 2015/16 was another successful one for United who finished just two points short of the play-offs. Due to Cinderford’s refusal to accept promotion at the end of the season, United were originally placed in the Evo-Stik Northern League, but after a successful appeal were re-instated in the Southern League South & West Division. 

The 2016/17 campaign saw the Robins reach the South and West play-offs for a second time in three years but were narrowly beaten by Salisbury in a classic semi-final 2-1 after extra time, playing for 90 minutes with ten men. 

The start to the 2017/18 season was not good with defeats in both cups at the first hurdle. United put together a fantastic late-season run, winning 9 out of the last 12 league games to reach the play-offs. The semi-final with Swindon Supermarine had an air of Déjà vu about it, with the scores level after 120 minutes. Alas, Supermarine won the play-offs penalty shoot-out 5-4. 

The 2018/19 season was not one of Evesham’s finest, eventually finishing seventh with Collicutt relieved of his duties and Carl Abbott taking over for the 2019/20 campaign. Ultimately this season was curtailed by the Covid pandemic with Evesham in ninth position. Abbott left the club in March 2020 with Neil Hunt taking over the manager position in a caretaker capacity. Hunt was made permanent manager for the 2020-21 season. 

The league season was again curtailed on November 4th due to the pandemic, with only six league games played. However, Evesham’s season made it to December, due to a run to the Second Round Proper of the FA Trophy, before losing 3-0 at home to National League North Boston United. In 2021-22, the Robins earned 39 points from 36 games and only secured a disappointing 13th place in the table. 

The experienced Mike Ford took over for the 2022-23 campaign. A superb four-match winning run at the end of the season, saw the Robins take fourth position in the table and a place in the playoffs. However, Evesham lost 3-0 to Hamworthy United at Dorchester Town’s ground. 

The 2023-24 season saw the Robins finish in 7th place, seven points off the final playoff positions. A poor start to the season after six games did not help, but a good run of results followed, which included a sequence of ten away league games without defeat. Ultimately, the run-in saw a failure to beat lower-placed teams at home and this meant the Robins fell just short.

If you're a Bash fan up for one last road trip, it's around 130 miles door to door - here is all the relevant info...

STADIUM: The Spiers and Hartwell Stadium

ADDRESS: Cheltenham Road, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 2LZ

GROUND CAPACITY: 3,000 - 300 seats

TELEPHONE: 01836 442303

EMAIL: clubsecretary@eveshamunitedfc.com

WEBSITE: https://eveshamunitedfc.com

ADMISSION: Adults £10; Concessions (60 and over) £7; Juniors (U16) £2.

NICKNAME: The Robins

DIRECTIONS: M3-A34 to Abingdon junction then join A420/A40 signposted Witney, Burford, Chipping Norton, Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway. At the first island on the outskirts of Evesham turn left onto the A46, signposted M5 South and Cheltenham. Continue over next island with Strawberry Field public house and McDonald’s on the right-hand side. At the next island ground straight over. There are signposts for Evesham United Football Club leading up to this island.

NEXT up at the Veho Community Stadium is our last home League game of the season against Bemerton Heath Harlequins, which these days is our local derby - if you can call 30 miles “local”!

And as luck would have it, as we have done several times recently, we are facing a team in hot pursuit of promotion.

Bemerton have had a variety of different managers this season, and a roller-coaster ride of form, but they arrive at Bashley still with a huge chance of a play-off place for the second straight season.

Recent results include a double over Exmouth, a draw at Yate, a 1-0 defeat of the impressive Bishops Cleeve, and a seven-goal blast against Bristol Manor Farm. They arrive at the Veho on the back of an impressive 4-1 defeat of Shaftesbury on Saturday.

To try to get themselves over the line into the play-offs, Bemerton have made a number of recent signings, among them a couple of familiar faces to Bash fans in the form of loanees Kaya Tshaka and Frankie Monk, who were both here last season.

Other recent signings include powerful defender Keiran Douglas, a former team-mate of Dan Walster at Winchester, plus Seung-woo Yang, whose previous clubs include Forest Green Rovers, Eastleigh and AFC Totton.

Owen Pelham is in on loan from AFC Totton and would remember Bash chairman Steve Lewis from his days at Totton & Eling last season. He has also played for Portchester and Baffins Milton. 

Another new loanee, and an important one, is keeper Ben Clark, from Bristol City. He is just completing a two-year junior contract at Ashton Gate and has already made an impact with Bemmy.

Inevitably, with the merry-go-round of local players at this level, there will also be other familiar faces in the Harlequins team also likely to be in the line-up are a front pair of ex-Bash players, Olly Balmer and Joe Smith.

Joe was the star of Bashley’s Under-23 team in 2022/23, but was surprisingly not signed up for last season. He went to Downton instead, scored a hatful of goals - 50 to be precise - and moved on this season to Bemerton, where he has also been a prolific scorer.

Joe was in the spotlight when Bash played at Bemmy earlier this season - but not for the reasons he would have hoped for. He was sent off, leaving his ten colleagues to cling on for their 2-1 win, so there will be no doubting his intention for a happier personal outcome this time.

Joe, Olly, Kaya and Frankie are not the only strong links to The Bash - the Bemerton club President, Steve Slade, was a star player for the Black and Gold back in the 70s and 80s. 

And Steve says he retains fond memories of our club - not least of one of the most famous games in Bash history. He says: “Bashley holds a special place in my heart from my playing days.

“My time with them was filled with great memories, having been signed by the legendary Trevor Parker, with Trevor Adams as Chairman. Playing as a centre forward, alongside the brilliant Jimmy Shepherd in midfield, I enjoyed success as the club’s top goal scorer on many occasions.

“Being part of Bashley’s setup was a privilege, and I only left in 1989 to help form the Harlequins. One of the most memorable moments of my footballing career came during my time with Bashley: the semi-final of the FA Vase in the 1987-88 season against Emley.

“A win would have taken us to Wembley, fulfilling a lifelong dream for me and many of the players at the time. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

“The journey up north to Emley was long, with the weather worsening as we travelled. When we arrived, the rain and gale-force winds delayed the game, but the referee decided it had to go on due to the distance we had come.

“Under the guidance of our manager, Chris Smith, we braced ourselves for the challenge. What followed was a match dictated by the elements rather than the players. The wind turned the game into a farce, with the ball at its mercy on a long, sloping pitch.

“At halftime, we managed to hold Emley to a goalless draw, but early in the second half  they scored - whether it was their skill or the wind, we’ll never know. From that point on, Emley simply kicked the ball out of play repeatedly, aided by hurricane-force winds. Our Wembley hopes were, literally, blown away.”

As mentioned by Steve Slade, the Bemerton Heath Harlequins were established in May 1989, following the merger of three well-respected local clubs: Bemerton Athletic, Moon FC, and Bemerton Boys.

Each club brought a strong footballing pedigree, their own unique identity, and a shared ambition to take their game to the next level. Bemerton Athletic had a history of success, winning the Wiltshire League title three times. Moon FC was a dominant force in the Salisbury and Andover Leagues, regularly securing silverware and establishing itself as a highly competitive side.

Meanwhile, Bemerton Boys had built a reputation in youth football, winning multiple trophies in the Mid-Wilts League and nurturing local talent.

By late 1988, both Moon FC and Bemerton Athletic were looking for a new challenge and seeking ways to progress within the footballing pyramid. Discussions soon began regarding a potential merger, with the primary goal of gaining entry into the Wessex League. Given the close proximity of their grounds and the fact that many players had represented both clubs at various points in their careers, the idea of a merger seemed not only practical but beneficial to all involved.

The three clubs united to form Bemerton Heath Harlequins, creating a single, ambitious team. This was more than just a merger on paper—it was a true coming together of players, supporters, and community members to build something greater than the sum of its parts. Soon after the club’s formation, a clubhouse was constructed, providing a vital hub for players, staff, and fans - a lasting testament to the collective spirit that built the club.

Since its formation, Bemerton Heath Harlequins have been a consistent presence first in the Wessex League, and later the Southern League, earning a reputation as a well-organized, competitive team.

The 1992/93 season remains one of the most memorable in the club’s history. That year, the team achieved a third-place finish in the league, lifted the Wiltshire Senior Cup, and completed a hat-trick of Hospital Cup Final victories. They also enjoyed notable runs in both the F.A. Cup and the F.A. Vase, further solidifying their status as a club on the rise.

A significant milestone came in the 1998/99 season, when Bemerton advanced to the last 16 of the F.A. Vase for the first time in the club’s history.

Like any football club, Bemerton Heath Harlequins have faced their share of challenges. Despite their successes, the club experienced its first-ever relegation in recent years, a setback that demanded a strong response.

The 2019/20 season was a turning point, with the appointment of Ian Saunders as manager. Saunders took on the challenge of rebuilding the squad in Division One, aiming to return the club to its previous heights. However, the COVID-19 pandemic soon disrupted football across the globe, bringing unforeseen difficulties.

In December 2020, Shaun Hale was appointed as First Team Manager, with Ian Saunders transitioning into a Director of Football role. Under Hale’s leadership, Bemerton achieved a historic milestone, winning the Wessex Division 1 championship in 2021/22 - the club’s first-ever league title.

The momentum carried into the next season, with Bemerton finishing second in 2022/23, securing back-to-back promotions and earning a place in the Southern League for the first time in their history. These achievements marked a new era of success and ambition for the club.

As the 2024/25 season approached, Bemerton Heath Harlequins underwent significant leadership changes. Shaun Hale stepped down as First Team Manager, and former Bashley coach James Ellis was appointed as his successor. However, Ellis’s tenure was short-lived, lasting just five weeks before his departure.

In response, the club turned to Danny Young, appointing him as Interim Manager. Young brought a wealth of Southern League experience, providing stability during a period of transition. Following a thorough recruitment process, James Milligan was appointed as the club’s new First Team Manager in October. Milligan arrived with an impressive track record, having previously managed Cheddar, Wells, and Shaftesbury.

His most notable success came at Shaftesbury, where he guided the club to promotion from the Wessex Premier League to the Southern League. Beyond promotion, Milligan transformed the team’s fortunes, lifting them from the lower half of the table into playoff contention. However, after his success, he ultimately returned to his hometown club, Shaftesbury FC.

In January 2025, Bemerton made another key addition by bringing in Luke Platt, a manager they had long admired. A UEFA A Licence Manager and Coach, Platt’s résumé was filled with experience at both non-league and professional levels. He had worked with Poole Town FC, Brockenhurst FC, and Shaftesbury FC, while also holding key coaching and recruitment roles at AFC Bournemouth, Southampton FC, Yeovil Town FC, and Rangers FC.

Platt’s expertise in tactical strategy, player development, and club management added another dimension to Bemerton’s leadership team, strengthening their ability to ultimately compete at an even higher level.

KICK-OFF at the Veho Community Stadium on Monday is at 3pm and all the usual facilities will be available - including covered seating free within the admission price. The licensed clubhouse with its tempting range of food and drinks will be open as usual - plus football on TV and the range of club souvenirs, some at half-price in an end-of-season sale.

ADMISSION as usual, is £10 adults, £7 OAPs, £3 Under-16s and free for Under 8’s either on the turnstile or in advance online.

THE BASH and their loyal fans hit the road for the penultimate time this season on Easter Saturday with a visit to Melksham. At a mere 60 miles away it’s almost a local derby in this far-flung league - and we will be meeting a team who have had an improved season. 

Melksham have just missed the play-off boat this time around, but they sit eighth in the table, after a very respectable campaign. That included a 2-2 draw at the Veho, where the visitors preserved what was then an unbeaten record.

Bash fans who have been to Melksham in previous seasons will know that they have a very smart and relatively new custom-built stadium, constructed in amongst a new housing development eight years ago.  

However, despite that modern, all-mod-cons HQ, Melksham is one of the oldest Non-League clubs in the country with its 150th anniversary on the horizon for next year - the club was established as Melksham FC in 1876. 

In 1894 they were founder members of the Wiltshire League. The club were Division One champions in 1903–04 and won the Wiltshire Senior Cup the following season. 

In 1920 the club was renamed Melksham and Avon United as a result of their new ground being owned by Avon Rubber, before reverting to their original name in the 1926–27 season. They were runners-up in the league in 1924–25, 1929–30 and 1936–37. In 1951 the club adopted their current name and went on to finish as runners-up in Division One in 1959–60 and 1971–72, also winning the Wiltshire Senior Cup again in 1969–70.

Melksham moved up to the Western League in 1974. After finishing third-from bottom of the league in 1975–76, the club were demoted to the new Division One as the league expanded to two divisions. They won the Wiltshire Senior Cup again in 1977–78 and were Division One champions in 1979–80, earning promotion to the Premier Division.

Their first season in the Premier Division saw the club win the Wiltshire Premier Shield, a trophy they retained the following season and won again in 1984–85 and 1985–86. However, they were relegated to Division One again at the end of the 1987–88 season.

In 1992–93 Melksham finished bottom of Division One and were relegated to the Premier Division of the Wiltshire Football League. They won the Premier Division and the Senior Knock-Out Cup the following season, and were promoted back to the Western League at the first attempt. In 1996–97 the club were Division One champions and were promoted to the Premier Division. 

They won the Wiltshire Premier Shield the following season, and again in 1999–2000, before winning the Wiltshire Senior Cup in 2002–03 and 2007–08. Although the club were relegated to Division One in 2009–10, they were Division One runners-up in 2010–11, earning promotion back to the Premier Division.

Melksham won the Wiltshire Senior Cup in 2012–13 and 2013–14, before winning the Western League Premier Division title in 2014–15. However, delays to making ground improvements meant that they were denied promotion. The following season saw the club win the Senior Cup again. 

The club were runners-up in the Premier Division in 2017–18, earning promotion to Division One South of the Southern League.

The club played at Challymead Common until moving to the Old Bear Field in 1883. They relocated to the Conigre in 1920; the ground was part of the Melksham House estate, centrally sited in the town, which had been purchased in the same year by Avon Rubber, with the house turned into a social club.

A wooden stand was erected on one side of the pitch and wooden fencing installed around the ground. During the 1960s covered stands were built behind the Rugby Club End and on the other side of the pitch, and floodlights were installed in 1986. The wooden stand was demolished in the early 1990s and replaced by a modern metal stand in 1994.

In 2017, in preparation for redevelopment at the Melksham House site, the club moved to Oakfields, a new £7.3 million facility shared with Melksham Rugby Club on the eastern edge of the town. The first match at the new ground was played on 14 January 2017 against Bristol Manor Farm in the FA Vase, with the visitors winning 5–3 in front of a crowd of 1,215.

STADIUM: Oakfield Stadium

ADDRESS: Eastern Way, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 7GU

TELEPHONE: 01225 375905

EMAIL: secretary@melkshamtownfc.net

WEBSITE: https://www.melkshamtownfc.net

ADMISSION: Adults £10, Concessions £8, Under-16 £2 (Must be accompanied by an adult).

NEXT up at the Veho Community Stadium is a visit from the Bristol-based side, Cribbs - and after proving themselves one of the most efficient sides in the division and reaching the play-offs last season, they are surprisingly facing a tricky end to this season in the lower reaches.

We met with mixed fortunes in three matches against them last season. In the FA Trophy at Cribbs, we got an honourable draw, but lost on penalties. Another visit there in the league produced another draw - but in the last meeting, at home, we were comprehensively hustled out of it in an untidy 3-0 reverse.

The club is based at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol, but has an intriguing history, far different to the traditional town and village teams in the Southern League. It was actually founded in London in 1958 as Sun Life Assurance. A Bristol-based team was first established in 1976 when Sun Life first relocated to the city.

Initially, two teams were run, participating in the Bristol and Avon League, playing at Dundridge Farm. However, when the Cribbs Causeway ground was opened in 1978, the first team were promoted straight to the Avon Premier Combination League (later renamed Bristol Premier Combination) where they stayed for 20 years until they eventually won promotion to the County League in 1999–2000.

In the summer of 2011, the club changed from AXA to its new name of Cribbs Friends Life FC ready for the 2011–12 season.

The 2011–12 season was Cribbs' most successful season to that date as the club claimed its first Gloucestershire County League title on its way to an unprecedented League and Cup double, with the team later adding the Les James League Cup to the League Championship, in the process becoming the first and only side to achieve this feat.

As well as winning the double, the club finally earned promotion to the Western League Division One for the 2012–13 season, being crowned champions.

In 2013, Cribbs Friends Life FC changed their name to Cribbs FC after losing the backing of their sponsors. At the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League.

Under the stewardship of Richard Luffman, in his first season in charge, Cribbs recorded a best-ever placed finish of fourth in the Hellenic League, they were also winners of the League Cup defeating Hereford Pegasus 1-0 through a George Kellow goal.

Luffman's Cribbs gained Southern League status in 2023 after clinching promotion becoming champions of the Hellenic League after a 1–0 win over Wantage Town through a goal from David Duru, their highest promotion in club history. Duru is still in this weekend's squad.

Last season Cribbs almost made it one step higher still, losing out in the play-offs 2-1 to Bristol Manor Farm in a humdinger of a semi-final.

Current manager is Ryan Crouch, appointed in November last year, and possibly unique in this division in that he is also in the playing squad.

KICK-OFF at the Veho Community Stadium on Saturday is at 3pm and all the usual facilities will be available - including covered seating free within the admission price. The licensed clubhouse with its tempting range of food and drinks will be open as usual - plus football on TV - as will the new club shop with its superb range of Adidas kit and other merchandise by Veho - including some New Year sale bargains! 

ADMISSION as usual, is £10 adults, £7 OAPs, £3 Under-16s and free for Under 8’s either on the turnstile or in advance online.

WE all know that there are no easy points to be had in this division, but recently Bashley keep running headlong into teams not just in decent runs of form, but scorching hot form - and now there’s another one on the horizon this weekend.

The Bash went to Bishops Cleeve when the Mitres had lost just one of their previous twelve games and were scoring goals for fun - and it didn’t end well for us.

Then, after a brief respite when we couldn’t make the most of what should have been a winning situation against Helston, it was back to the tough stuff - away to Malvern on that tricky artificial surface, to face a team which had won nine and drawn one of their previous ten.

Unfortunately, Bash, well under strength on the day, became just another statistic in Malvern’s glory run. Then we come to this Saturday, and the long old trek way out west to Mousehole. If you check their last 12 games before today, it reads seven wins, three draws and just two losses.  

Even though we’ve only “known them” for a couple of seasons, we have a great affinity with Mousehole as a club. Already, last season and this, we have met six times in league and cups - and this Saturday we will have done extremely well if we land in “seventh heaven”!

Again we may not have our strongest eleven available, and as the “furthest East” going to the “furthest West” our lads are likely to be a little travel-weary as well on the day. As ever, however, we will certainly give it a go!

It’s just shy of 250 miles from Bashley to Mousehole (say it Mowzel) a fishing village which sits in a picturesque corner just short of Land’s End - it’s atmospheric Trungle Parc Stadium, up the road at the nearby village of Paul, is at best a five-hour run to or from the New Forest.

It was a 1-1 draw when we played Mousehole here back in September in that fateful FA Trophy match, Mack Allan’s penalty shoot-out heroics being cancelled out so cruelly - ironic, because it was a tiny technicality regarding Mack’s registration for a Cup game rather than League, which caused the best-forgotten 0-4 replay.

Although they only came to regional Step 4 significance last season, Mousehole, as a club, are the envy of many. Well organised on and off the field, they almost made it up again at the first attempt.

Mousehole joined the Cornwall Combination in 1960–61 and were promoted to the South West Peninsula League Division One West on its formation in 2007, after finishing as Combination runners-up the previous season.

They won Division One West in 2015–16. At the end of 2018–19 the league was restructured, and Mousehole successfully applied for promotion to the Premier Division West, at Step 6 of the National League System.

In 2017, the club had a sponsorship arrangement with the Endorsed Group, a recruitment and software company run by a local businessman. Together with the club they set up the Endorsed Academy, aiming to improve coaching standards and provide opportunities for young footballers in Cornwall. Mousehole hosted a pre-season tournament in July 2018, the Endorsed Cup, featuring youth teams from Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers.

In 2018, an approach was made by Mousehole concerning a possible merger between themselves and neighbours Penzance AFC amid concerns that Trungle Parc may not prove viable as Mousehole progress through the leagues.

A further approach was made by Penzance in 2019, but in May, Mousehole released a statement confirming they had withdrawn from the discussions. In 2021, they were promoted to the Premier Division of the Western League based on their results in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.

They were promoted to the Southern Football League as champions in the 2022–23 season, only the second Cornish side to reach step four of the non-league system.Last season they finished fifth, losing out in the play-offs to Frome, and they are going great guns again, challenging strongly for the play-offs again as they sit comfortably in third place.

NOTE: As a club, we owe Mousehole a debt of gratitude for being so fast out of the blocks to arrange a donation for Jordan Chiedozie's fund - announced within a day of the fund being launched. Much appreciated by the Bashley club, and Jordan himself.

MOUSEHOLE DETAILS

STADIUM: Trungle Parc, Paul, Penzance TR19 6AZ

TELEPHONE: 01736 731518

ADMISSION: Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under-16 free.  

PARKING: Available at the ground on a first-come first-served basis. Please follow the directions of the stewards. We suggest you arrive early to avoid congestion. Alternatively, park in Mousehole (2 car parks) and walk up the hill to Paul. Be warned however that this involves a steep climb!

SOME fans of other clubs in our division are not quite sure where “Bashley” actually is - and fair to say also that unless you have passed a GCSE geography test (or in the case of we oldies, GCE!) you’d be hard pushed to point straight to Cinderford on the map.

Cinderford Town are the next visitors to the Veho Community Stadium this Saturday, and they will actually be travelling around 120 miles from… give yourself 10points if you said - south west of Gloucester, on the other side of the River Severn Estuary, within a whisker of the Welsh border.

This has not been a vintage season for the club, sitting bottom of the table for most of the way, and recently missing out on their best chance of glory this season by being ejected from the Gloucestershire Senior Cup, where they were due to meet Bishops Cleeve. Cinderford apparently used an ineligible player in their semi-final against Bristol Manor Farm.

To add to unexpected difficulties, club chair Sarah Legge handed in her resignation for personal reasons earlier this month, although continuing, she said, as a supporter. 

The same week, however, Cinderford landed one of the most astonishing results of the season, an 8-2 win away to Helston (who came to Bash four days later and went away with a 2-2 draw!)

The Cinderford club was formed in 1922 and joined the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. They were runners-up in 1935–36 and 1937–38, before winning the league in 1939–39. They subsequently joined the Bristol Charity League, but the league closed down two weeks into the 1939–40 season due to World War II.

After the war the club joined Division Two of the Western League. After winning Division Two in 1956–57 they were promoted to Division One. However, the club left the league at the end of the 1958–59 season.

Cinderford subsequently rejoined the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League, and were champions in 1960–61 and runners-up in the next two seasons. They joined the Western Division of the Warwickshire Combination in 1963, and were both League Cup winners and Western Division champions in 1964–65, after which they moved up to the Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) League in 1965.

In 1968–69 the club reached the League Cup final, drawing 1–1 with Kidderminster Harriers, with the league declaring them joint winners. In 1969 the club transferred to the Gloucestershire County League, finishing as runners-up in their first season, and again in 1971–72 and 1973–74.

In 1974 they joined Division One of the Midland Combination, which became the Premier Division in 1983. They won the League Cup in 1982–83, beating Bridgnorth Town in the final. However, they returned to the Gloucestershire County League at the end of the 1983–84 season.

In 1990 the club joined Division One of the Hellenic League, which they won at the first attempt, earning promotion to the Premier Division. After winning the Premier Division, the Premier Division Cup and the Floodlit Cup in 1994–95, the club were promoted to Division One South of the Southern League.

The 1995–96 season saw Cinderford reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time. After beating Bromsgrove Rovers 2–1, they lost 3–0 at Gravesend & Northfleet in a second round replay. The club were transferred to the Division One Midlands in 1998, and back to the renamed Division One Western in 1999. 

In 2000–01 the club won the Gloucestershire Senior Cup, beating Bristol City 1–0 in the final. They were moved back to the Division One Midlands in 2006, before returning to Division One South & West in two years later. In 2015–16 they won the division and were promoted to the Premier Division. The club initially tried to refuse promotion due to concerns about increased costs, but this was rejected by the Football Association.

In 2016–17 Cinderford finished bottom of the Premier Division and were relegated to Division One West. In 2018–19 the club finished fifth in the renamed Division One South, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Cirencester Town 2–1 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–1 to Yate Town in the final.

They finished second-from-bottom of the division in 2022–23 and were relegated to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League. The following season saw them finish fifth in the Premier Division, before beating Corsham Town in the play-off semi-finals and then winning the play-off final against Royal Wootton Bassett Town 4–0 to earn promotion back to Division One South of the Southern League... and here we are today.

KICK-OFF at the Veho Community Stadium on Saturday is at 3pm and all the usual facilities will be available - including covered seating free within the admission price. The licensed clubhouse with its tempting range of food and drinks will be open as usual - plus football on TV - as will the new club shop with its superb range of Adidas kit and other merchandise by Veho - including some handy sale bargains! 

ADMISSION as usual, is £10 adults, £7 OAPs, £3 Under-16s and free for Under 8’s either on the turnstile or in advance online.

TRAVEL NOTE: Please note that the local roadworks on Bashley Road have now finished and the stadium is again accessible from both directions.

WITH just four away matches remaining now, Bashley’s travelling fans - and the players come to that - would be forgiven for thinking there are not too many more miles to travel.

Unfortunately it’s not as easy as that. There will be plenty more tread off the tyres before before it’s feet up or a gentle stroll along Avon Beach - because three out of the four games involve more l-o-n-g treks.

First up, it’s a mere 260 miles round trip to Malvern in Worcestershire - followed by dear old Mousehole, 460 miles round trip to deepest Cornwall and probably a six-hour drive each way, if you don’t stop.

Melksham’s a doddle, only 60 miles away, so 120 there and back, but our last day trip this season is to Evesham - back to Worcestershire - and a 230-mile round trip to Evesham, virtually back on Malvern’s doorstep!

Malvern will be a good test for Dave Lewis’s side. They have strengthened since a draw at the Veho Stadium in December and have been on a red-hot run, taking them right up into the play-off places. They have won nine of their last ten league games - and drew the other one!

And not that there is anyone but Lewis Ross and Brett Williams remaining from last season’s debacle on the synthetic pitch at Malvern, but it would be nice to get some measure of revenge for that awful 6-0 tonking after Bash volunteered to switch their home match up to Worcestershire because the then-GlenMex was flooded!

So what is there to tell about Malvern FC? The club was established in 1946 as Barnard’s Green Football Club. They joined the Worcester League, where they played until moving up to the Worcestershire Combination in 1955, going on to win the league at the first attempt.

The club - known as The Hillsiders - also won the Worcestershire Junior Cup and retained the trophy for the next two seasons, before winning it again in 1961–62.

In 1967 the Worcestershire Combination was renamed the Midland Combination. The club won the inaugural Worcestershire Senior Urn in 1973–74, before retaining it for the next two seasons; they also finished as runners-up in the Midland Combination in 1973–74.

In 1979 Malvern transferred to the Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) League and although they finished bottom of the division in 1982–83, the club avoided being relegated. However, they were relegated to Division One at the end of the 1991–92 season.

Despite only finishing ninth in Division One in 1993–94, the club were promoted back to the Premier Division. In 2003–04 they won the Premier Division title, earning promotion to the Midland Alliance.

A third-place finish in the Alliance in 2005–06 saw the club promoted to Division One Midlands of the Southern League.

The club finished bottom of Division One Midlands in 2008–09 and were relegated back to the Midland Alliance. Two seasons later they finished bottom of the Midland Alliance and were relegated to the Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) League.

They lifted the Worcestershire Senior Urn for a ninth time in 2018–19 and finished in the top five in each of their last five seasons before being moved across into the Hellenic League Division One West in 2019.

It was during the first half of the 2019-20 season that Project 2020 finally came to fruition with significant developments made to the club's facilities and infrastructure, including a new state-of-the-art 3G playing surface and new dressing rooms.

An FA Vase tie against Loughborough University in November 2019 signalled the first game at the revamped stadium and with home crowds regularly topping the 200-mark, the team marched to the top of the table until the campaign was declared null-and-void in March 2020 amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.

The 2020-21 season also saw them sitting deservedly at the top of the table when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19. However, in May 2021, it was confirmed that they would be promoted into the Premier Division.

They also enjoyed another exciting adventure in the FA Vase, beating higher level Rothwell Corinthians and Sporting Khalsa along the way before narrowly losing out at Congleton Town in the fourth round. Adapting well to life at the higher level, they remained amongst the leading pack throughout the season and ultimately just missed out on promotion by finishing third.

With a number of new additions to the team and with Stephen Cleal becoming co-manager alongside Lee Hooper, the 2022-23 campaign once more saw the team flying high throughout the season on the pitch, whilst crowds continued to rise as they really captured the imagination of local people.

The season culminated with them finishing as runners-up before going to Highworth Town and winning 4-1 in the Play-Off to take their place in Step 4, a fantastic achievement.

Last season Malvern finished just ahead of Bashley in a very respectable 10th place.

STADIUM: HDAnywhere Community Stadium

ADRESS: Langland Avenue, Malvern, West Midlands WR14 2EQ

DIRECTIONS (From South) Leave the M50 at Junction 1 (Signposted Malvern/Tewkesbury A38) and follow the sign for A38 Malvern. Stay on the A38 until you reach the junction with the A4104 (Signposted Upton-upon-Severn) and turn left. After crossing over the River Severn, turn right onto the B4211 (signposted Hanley Castle) and stay on this road until you reach the village of Rhydd. Turn left at Rhydd onto the B4211 and pass through the village of Guarlford. Upon entering Barnard's Green, you will encounter an unusual junction, you need to take the third exit (Pickersleigh Road) and halfway up Pickersleigh Road turn right into Sherard's Green Road. Go straight on at the junction, entering Langland Avenue. The ground will be on your right.

TELEPHONE: 01684 564746

EMAIL: sec@malverntown.co.uk

ADMISSION: Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under-16 £2 (Must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets at the gate or online at .

NEXT visitors to the Veho Community Stadium are Helston Athletic, and although non-league football history is sometimes hard to track back, there’s little doubt that this is their first time in this part of Hampshire.

The Blues, as they are known, have a long and illustrious history, having been established in 1896. However, since then they have competed almost entirely in more localised regional football - first in the Cornwall Senior League, then the South Western League, the Cornwall Combination, the South West Peninsular League and ultimately the Western League where they finished as Premier champions last season.  

So, after 128 years, this is their first-ever season at Step Four level, and they are determined that this is just “part of their journey” up the pyramid - and not their destination.

They were comfortable winners of the Western League last season, losing only four of 34 games, scoring 104 goals, to just 30 against - Falmouth came up with them via the play-offs after finishing second.

And Helston quickly made an impact in the Southern League. When the teams met in Cornwall earlier in the season both were sitting comfortably in the play-off positions, Helston in third place, having lost only three of their first 15 matches, and Bash fourth.

It ended in an honourable hard-fought 1-1 draw - although things have drifted slightly backwards for both clubs since then.

Bash now find themselves in mid-table, while Helston's recent fortunes indicate the team is going through a torrid time. Departures of some key players have been a big hindrance, and their recent record includes a 9-0 crash at Bishops Cleeve and an 8-2 home loss to Cinderford earlier this week.

On a travel note, it’s a long old jaunt from the Lizard Peninsular - around 200 miles by road. So it might have been handy this time if Helston could have planned their visit by helicopter, rather than coach - because the town is home to the Royal Naval Air Station, Culdrose, one of Europe’s largest military chopper bases. Their Merlins are the also Royal Navy’s “anti-submarine warfare helicopter fleet.” 

RNAS Culdrose is also famous for it’s intensive air-sea rescue activity around the craggy Cornish coastline and beyond. It is also a major training establishment for the Fleet Air Arm and for naval air fleet engineering employing 3,000 people and so is a major contributor to Cornwall's economy, injecting £100m annually.

Helston Athletic’s club badge is one of the most intriguing in English football. It features all things Cornish - a knight in shining armour fighting a dragon in a castle, with what look like Cornish Tin mines in the background. 

The programme at Bishops Cleeve FC recently described the Helston badge as referencing: “St Michael, standing atop his slain foe harking back to the legends of old when dragons may or may not have been flying around Cornwall being a nuisance to farmers and middle-aged middle-agers.” 

Cornwall has a long “history” of dragon encounters with tales such as the legend of St Just where a serpent would plod around on a random rampage through the town before a man called Mathey Trewella stepped up to deal with the “Mester Stoor Worm” dragon. 

Old Mathey outsmarted and defeated the beast somehow and went down in Cornish legend. Another story is that of a real life magistrate and lawyer who was punished for his unsavoury antics during his time on Earth. His soul was doomed to eternally wander the afterlife, where he was forced to fight a fierce and malevolent dragon as part of his punishment! Perhaps could be decscribed as “going to Hel-ston and back!”

KICK-OFF at the Veho Community Stadium on Saturday is at 3pm and all the usual facilities will be available - including covered seating free within the admission price. The licensed clubhouse with its tempting range of food and drinks will be open as usual - plus live football on TV - as will the new club shop with its superb range of Adidas kit and other merchandise by Veho - including some sale bargains! 

ADMISSION as usual, is £10 adults, £7 OAPs, £3 Under-16s and free for Under 8’s either on the turnstile or in advance.  …AND the good news - those irritating road works which closed our road between the Rising Sun and Loaders Garage have now been lifted, so it’s a clear run through to the Veho from both north and south.

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