Chairman’s Chat

A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors.

After 4 wins and a draw in our previous 5 games it was a surprise and hugely disappointing to see us capitulate last weekend away at Bromley Heath Utd, a game where no one stood out and one that all the players and management will wish to forget, and the best way to do that is win the next game.

Whilst last Saturday wasn’t a great day for the club with regards to results (3 losses, 1 draw and 1 win), it was truly wonderful to witness 3 home games at Arnall Drive which according to El Presidente (Charlie Barron) was possible the first time that has ever occurred…

If you can help with sponsoring a match, player, or pitch side advertising board, or would just like to help and get involved with the running of the club please speak to myself or to another committee member who will be pleased to speak to you about any potential involvement.

Finally, please remember ‘we win together, we lose together but most importantly we stick together

Andrew

"When we were going through our 'new normal' and attending chemo and hospital appointments, we sat and talked about how you don't realise how many people are affected by cancer, we especially found it hard to know that children were going through this. So the charity has a long term goal of purchasing a caravan- "Nelmer's place" to be able to bring smiles to small faces and their families"

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	ADAM PARKES – CENTRE BACK Adam is another strong centre back who has proven during preseason to be equally strong in the air and with the ball at his feet. Adam likes to drive with the ball and maraud forwards. He can also bring a Delap style throw as his party trick.
	CAMERON TARR – CENTRE BACK Back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, Cam is a great addition to the side, bringing a wealth of experience. A strong, physical presence at back, Cam is excellent in the air and a handful for opposition forwards.
	MARCUS WILLIAMS (VICE CAPT) – MIDFIELD Club stalwart, after starting at Under 6’s with Rockleaze Marcus is equally adept at fullback or midfield. A tenacious player, Marcus is a nightmare to play against, winning a lot of ball, and whose low centre of gravity makes him very hard to dispossess.
	DREW SAWDON – MIDFIELD Hard hitting midfielder hailing from the North, 2023-24 Player’s Player of the Season, Drew enjoyed an outstanding first season in the 1sts, ending up as joint top goal scorer (16) as well as being a dominating presence in the midfield.

GFA cup ties not included

GLOS. COUNTY LEAGUE

In the immediate post-war years GCHQ, then part of the Foreign Office, was located at Eastcote in Middlesex. In 1948 GCHQ decided to form a football team, playing under the name of FOSA – Foreign Office Sports Association. Home matches were played at the Foreign Office Sports Club ‘Swakeleys’ in Ickenham and the team competed in the Harrow, Wembley & District League. A second XI was formed in 1950.

The team fared moderately and after three seasons in Divisions 2 & 3 they switched to play in the Civil Service League, which covered all of London. Beginning in Division 4, the club won the title at its first attempt in 1951/2 and were promoted straight to Division 2. The Second XI was entered into Division 5.

In 1953 GCHQ moved to Cheltenham, bringing the entire committee and more than half the players. Now known as GCHQ, the club entered a team in the Cheltenham League and played its home matches at Swindon Village. The current Tewkesbury Road ground became available in 1954/5 and GCHQ won Division 3 of the Cheltenham League in 1955/6. Together with other sports activities, the change of name to Cheltenham Civil Service was made in 1957/8 to reflect the inclusion of other government departments in the area. The club has been represented in the Cheltenham League at Tewkesbury Road ever since, although successes have been rare until recently.

The facilities at Tewkesbury Road have been developed significantly to include a modern clubhouse and floodlit all-weather 7-a-side pitch. A 3rd XI was added in the 1970s and a 4th XI in the 1990s, as well as a Women’s team and a handful of youth teams.

A big breakthrough for the club occurred in 1995/6 when the 1st XI won the Cheltenham League for the first time in its history and was promoted to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 2. The team immediately won promotion to Division 1, before being relegated in 1999/0.

The club again won promotion the following season and enjoyed several years in the top tier before relegation in 2009/0. However, the club made another quick return, winning the Division 2 title two years later and scoring the most goals in the GNSL in the process.

The 1st XI finished 2nd in 2012/3 in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League and again in 2013/14 securing promotion to the Gloucestershire County League, the highest standard ever reached by the club. The season was also capped off by winning the Gloucestershire Senior Amateur County Cup for the first time in the history of the club. The season also saw a huge step forward for the Women’s team who progressed from the Gloucestershire County League, by winning the league unbeaten, to the Southwest Women’s Football League.

In 2014/15, the Club’s inaugural season in the County League, the 1st XI overcame all expectations by finishing as runaway winners, leading from start to finish, as well as finishing as runners-up in the League Cup.

The next few years saw the club go through a difficult period when they lost not only the manager but most of the team that won the County League because our facilities were not up to standard for the next level. This accumulated in the 1st team folding in 2016/17 leaving the club with three sides in the Cheltenham League.

Season 2017/18 saw the clubs resurgence and had one of the most successful seasons in their history. The first team won the treble of Cheltenham Division 1, and therefore promotion back to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League, Cheltenham Senior Charities Cup and Gloucestershire Junior County Cup. The Reserves took the Cheltenham Division 2 title, reached the semi-final of the Gloucestershire Intermediate County Cup and were runners up in the Cheltenham Minor Charity Cup and the third team were runners up in the Gloucestershire Minor County Cup and won the Cheltenham Primary Charity Trophy and finally the Ladies side reached the semi-final of the Gloucestershire Womens Trophy.

Season 2018/19 continued in successful ways with the first team winning the Gloucestershire County Champions Shield Junior Cup at the start of the season. They then finished runners up in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 2 and returned to Division 1. During the same season, the Veterans side won the Gloucestershire Veterans League Division 2 for first time and higher-level football for them also in the following season.

The first team reached the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Reg Davis Cup final for the first time in the clubs history during season 2021-22 losing the final by 4 - 3 after a great run in the revised format. The season was finished with the first team winning the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 1 also for the first team in the clubs history. Which meant they moved back up to the County League. The reserves side also have a successful season by winning the Cheltenham League Division 1 North title and runners up in the Gloucestershire Junior County Cup, Cheltenham League Senior and Junior Charities Cup Finals and the Championship Play-off final

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This accumulated in the team being promoted to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League for the first time ever. The U16 team rounded off the brilliant season with the Cheltenham Youth League Division 1 Runners up and Cheltenham Youth League Cup winners.

During season 2022-23 all the mens teams consolidated their positions in the leagues they were promoted to the previous season. A great season was achieved by the Ladies team with them winning the Gloucestershire County Womens League Division 2 and also the Womens Challenge County Cup. The Vets finished in the top four of Division 1 of the Gloucestershire Veterans League. And Finally the U15 Youth team finished as Division 1 League Champions.

The Ladies team continued their excellent run of form during 2023-24 and secured the Runners Up spot in the Gloucestershire County Womens League Division 1

Jon Dix Goalkeeper

A big character, Jon joins us as club captain having been at Cheltenham Saracens last season.

Cameron Blacker Midfield

Former Gloucester City and Cheltenham Saracens players joined this season as part of the re-build

Jack Gyde Midfield

The right sided defender has joined the club and adds to our solid defence, previously clubs include Cheltenham Saracens and Gala Wilton.

George Harker Defender

A solid centre back who adds to our defensive team. Previous clubs include Bishops Cleeve and Falcons.

Silviu Ilie Midfield

Hardworking, skilful, multi-functional player, formerly of Cheltenham Saracens and Longlevens

Paul Smith Midfield

Smudge is an energetic player who possesses a calmness on the ball. Paul has been with the club a number of season and continues to be a great asset

Dylan Tucker Defender

Joined the club this season from Cheltenham Saracens and looking to play his first season as full back.

Harvey White Midfield

A youth team product who has progressed through the ranks at Tewkesbury Road. A combative midfielder who loves a tackle but is equally at home spraying passes around the field

Goran Ahmed Midfield

A strong, solid midfielder who joins us from Lawani Ashti FC

Alin Neamtu Midfield

A skilful attacking midfielder who has joined us from Cheltenham Saracens

Will Whitmarsh Defender

An exciting left back who joined us from Tuffley Rovers U18

Sam Powell Midfield

A technical midfielder who likes to get on the ball and play forward. Signed this season from Falcons AFC

Tommy Duff Defence

A talented young defender who joins us from Cheltenham Town Academy

Adonis Geordiou Defence

Add strength to our defence, and probably the first Guinness Record holder to play for the club

Archie Greenwood Midfield

Centre midfield who has progressed to the first team this season from within the club. Incredible technique and press resistant

Mani Singh Forward

Strong centre forward who can hold the ball up well, bring others into play with an eye for goal. Formally of Moreton Rangers in the Hellenic league.

Ovid Hozas Defender

Experienced ball playing CB, a career of winning multiple league trophies and cups

Ethyn Kimberley Forward

Young attacker, very combative hard working individual. Can hit a ball from long range. Positive future, formally of Cheltenham Saracens Development

Evren Turksen Defender

Young CB who is quick, good on the ball and can put in a solid challenge, formally of Hartpury and Cheltenham Town Academy.

Olly Dark Midfield

Olly joins from Cheltenham Saracens and is combining his playing duties with a role as our Social Media person.

Mikolaj Rewczuk Midfield

Can play anywhere in attack, been with civi for the last few years, formally with Cleeve under 18s. Team player

Match Reports by Nigel Meaney

After a week off for the County Cup we return to league action, Almondsbury remain on top after a 7-1 Friday night win against Gala Wilton. Stoke Gifford had the edge over Chalford to regain second spot with a 2-0 victory. Broadwell Amateurs secured a 1-1 draw at Frampton United to end the hosts winning streak of 7 games in all competitions. Whilst at the bottom of the table Totterdown United won 2-1 at Cheltenham Civil Service, who remain winless as do Quedgeley Wanderers who went down 3-1 at Hanham Athletic. Elsewhere Bromley Heath bounced back to inflict a 5-0 defeat on Henbury & Rockleaze, Ruardean Hill Rangers won 4-1 at Filton Athletic

Filton Athletic hosted Ruardean Hill Rangers at Pen Park. Filton had the better of the early exchanges with a shot just wide by Kieran Cooper, Trey Merrett hitting the bar and Fraser Venables hitting a shot straight at Aaron Underwood in the Ruardean Goal. Ruardean’s early chances limited to a breakaway from a blocked corner. On 20 minutes Ruardean won a penalty from a foul by Chris Hillyer which was converted by Steve Clark to make it 1-0. The remainder of the half was end to end with one notable chance each, as a Kyle Thomas hit the wall with a free kick and Filton’s Barry Phillips saved well to deny Taylor Blaby.

Filton made changes for the second half and won a corner on 55 mins which came to nothing and Ruardean broke forward with a defensive error allowing Luke Brown to find Steve Clark unmarked in the box to make it 2-0. Filton pushed forward to get one back with Venables firing a free kick over, the bar denying Cooper who had another chance blocked by the onrushing Underwood. Then on 73 minutes Ruardean break and another defensive error allows Taylor Blaby to score Ruardeans’ third. Filton then down to 10 men when substitute Danny Matthews is given a straight red card. Filton do get a goal back through Jack Cole Ruardean try to clear their lines but the defender can only hit straight at Cole and it rebounds into the net. In the final minute Steve Clark completes his hat trick after he’s left clear. The 4-1 victory moves Ruardean up to 6th.

On a bright Autumn afternoon Chalford were the visitors to Stoke Gifford SGS United. The home side flew out of the traps and should’ve been in front in the first minute with Max Cooper only managing to poke straight at Sam Neale at the near post from close range. On 12 minutes Chalford had their first effort when good link up play from Andrew Maryon teed up Travis Cooke but his 20 yard effort crashed against the post. This seemed to refocus Gifford who immediately got back onto the front foot. On 22 minutes they took the lead when the impressive Evan Maidment scored from 22 yards, his left footed effort flying into the top corner. The game ebbed and flowed without any clear chances until Gifford doubled their lead on 37 minutes. Arron Sweete’s whipped corner was met firmly by the head of Harrison Murdoch-McCormack from 8 yards out. Gifford should’ve been 3-0 up just before half time but Jake Abraham couldn’t apply the right contact from a few yards out.

Onto the second half where chances for both teams were limited, Sweete fired wide on 52 minutes while Evan Healan saved well from George Parker. On 65 minutes Rudy Hill tested Neale from the edge of the box but he dealt with it comfortably. Chalford had a few half chances from free kicks around the edge of the Gifford area but couldn’t test Healan. There was a twist late in the game when Tauren Williams was dismissed after misjudging an innocuous ball forward and handled. He was judged to be preventing a goal scoring opportunity and therefore given his marching orders. Chalford couldn’t really take advantage though with Gifford seeing the game out fairly comfortably.

At Vicarage Road Hanham Athletic played host to a Quedgeley Wanderers side looking for their first League win of the season. Hanham took the lead on 10 mins with a fine solo run and finish by Shah Bhakerd. Karim Rendall almost made it 2-0 but his run and shot was well saved down to his left by Nathan Charnock in Quedgeley’s goal. Quedgeley deservedly equalised on 38 mins when a cross to the back post was superbly volleyed in by Dylan Venn. Just after half time only a fine save by Ashton Trott from a Shaun Lawson shot prevented Quedgeley from taking the lead. Hanham started to get a grip on the game and took the lead again on 58 mins the ball found Josh Gibbs on the edge of the box and he cut inside and finished brilliantly in to the near corner. Hanham made it 3-1 on 68 mins with a fine move Karim Rendall broke free on the right and found Jordan Rickman who’s shot was saved by Charnock but the ball fell to Mikey Golding who stroked the ball into the empty net.

Bromley Heath United entertained Henbury & Rockleaze, both teams arrived at Pomphrey Hill with just 6 points on the board due to below par starts to the campaign, so this game could be a turning point for the rest of the season. On a perfect day for football and with the pitch in great condition both teams started the game at a ferocious pace, playing some good quick passing football. Bromley were rewarded on 10 minutes when Jack Withey, Bromley' captain, scored with a trademark bullet header from a corner. Two minutes later the opportunity to go further ahead was squandered when a cross was hit over the bar from close range. Both teams continued to play good pacey football and although the game was even Bromley were just edging the number of chances created. On 35 minutes Bromley's Trai Elliston-Sackett gained just reward for his outstanding

work rate in midfield by creating a second Bromley goal through sheer determination to win the ball. His final pass was hit hard and low into the back of the net by Cam Ford. It was Bromley's two wide men who combined to put Bromley further ahead just before half time when Ollie Hanham cleverly intercepted a pass to run 30yds and crossed the ball to Fletcher Cripps to hit home after a well timed run from the opposite wing.

The second half understandably was a little more sedate, but Henbury & Rockleaze didn't throw in the towel and continued to play good passing football but without a cutting edge. Bromley grabbed another couple of late goals to seal a deserved win. A free kick on the edge of the box from Nathen Rose which went in via a deflection off the defender. And an own goal after a shot was cleared off the line only to ricochet into the net off another defender.

At Bell Field FramptoUnited welcomed Broadwell Amateurs. Frampton's Henry Driver-Dickerson found himself through on a 1 on 1 situation with Broadwell goalkeeper Jack Watkins when the ref waved play on when linesman raised his flag, but his shot cannoned back off the post. On 23 minutes Frampton’s Tom Mangan headed on a Manolo Espada free kick which hit the bar. From Espada's next free kick Dom Brown connected well & headed past Watkins to make it 1-0. 5 minutes into the 2nd half a good turn by Henry Driver-Dickerson but his shot crept just wide. Broadwell equalised in the 68^th minute when Dave Jenkins headed in a corner at the back post. Final chance of the game came from a long range shot by Broadwell's Jordan Locke that went just wide.

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At Tewkesbury Road winless Cheltenham Civil Service started the game against visitors Totterdown United brightly with lots of possession but were unable to turn this into clear chances. Totterdown United made the breakthrough when a long ball forward should have been caught by the Civil Service keeper but he slipped and ended by heading it straight to Ollie Lovell who made it 1-0. A Harvey White shot from long range levelled it before half time. The second half was an even affair settled in favour of the visitors when Civil Service didn't mark properly on a corner allowing Frank Tobin to take the points back to Totterdown

The Friday night game saw another large crowd of 205 as Almondsbury retained top spot with a 7-1 home victory over Gala Wilton, marred somewhat by a nasty injury to Gala’s Jordan Molyneux. Almondsbury wish Jordan a speedy recovery

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Almondsbury started well but after just 7 minutes a ball into the Almonds box wasn't controlled and fell to Gala striker Ben Sluman who beat Sam Burgess to put Gala ahead. It took 10 minutes for Almonds to level Zach Morgan beat his man for pace down the line and squared for Jensen Mannings who finished well on the half volley past the keeper. Then on 19 minutes a 50/50 challenge led to a collision which saw a nasty head injury to Gala's Jordan Molyneux and he was unable to carry on after treatment from both physios. On 28 minutes Almonds went ahead. Tim O'Loughlin played a diagonal ball into the box, it's flicked on and Zach Morgan volleys into the corner for 2-1

Almondsbury took control of the game in the second half. On 55 Almonds get there third when a Corner drilled in by Alex Hill is flicked by Jack Burgess to Morgan who smashes his header past the keeper for his second of the game. On 62 it’s four as another Hill corner and Morgan rises like a salmon and a bullet header complete his hat trick. On 65 Almonds make 5 subs and the coach with the subs board had his moment of the match. On 73 Gala are reduced to 10 men for violent conduct. On 83 substitute Liam Nicholls makes it five with a tap in at the far post after Jensen Mannings squares a great ball across after breaking down the right. A minute later Nicholls makes it six fending off him man to convert a pass from Omar Alrawi. Well into added time another of the substitutes Alrawi beats his man wide and from a very tight angle smashes it home to make it 7-1

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ASK any manager or coach, proven goalscorers are so desperately hard to come by these days, so, to see not one, but two, Non-League striker legends hang up their scoring boots, it’s only right their achievements are celebrated.

Both Sam Higgins and Dave Tarpey have bowed out of the game these last few weeks with their legendary status intact. Stacks of goals wherever they’ve played and trophies gleaming in the cabinet back home/

When Sam Higgins first stepped into Non-League football as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, little did he know he would forge a career to bring joy to so many.

After nine years at the Millwall academy and a brief stint at Southend United, Higgins dipped his toes in Non-League waters and the rest was history.

In 16 years, Higgins established himself as one the part-time game’s most decorated figures, scoring a whopping 403 career goals and picking up an unrivalled haul of collective and individual accolades along the way.

Undoubtedly, his highlight was an iconic first spell at East Thurrock United, which yielded 275 goals and no fewer than four Golden Boots, at Steps 2, 3 and 4. He also won the Isthmian Premier and North division titles and steered the Rocks to a first-ever Essex Senior Cup success.

At Hornchurch, he lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley and Isthmian Premier title as well as a Player of the Year and Golden Boot double.

With further success came at Chelmsford City (two spells), Bromley, Canvey Island, it’s no wonder Higgins made such an impact in and around his native Essex

But, last week, after picking up a heel injury while playing for Hashtag United, the 35-year-old finally called time on his glittering career, to a social media fanfare from past clubs, managers, teammates and fans.

From his first loan spell at Fisher Athletic to his last hurrah at Hashtag United, Higgins was highly regarded by all and will go down as one of Non-League’s all-time greats.

“It’s been a very long time and, at some point, it had to come to an end, unfortunately,” said Higgins, before admitting he has no burning desire to return to the game in a coaching capacity.

.“It was a tough decision, but it felt like the right one. I’ve had quite a few injuries over the last few seasons and a couple of weeks back I had a heel injury which is probably going to take a few months to recover from.

“Having a lot of injuries can be mentally draining so to be able to come out of it with a sense of achievement is something to be proud of.

“The thing I will miss most about the game is the people. I’ve met friends for life; managers, players and the people working within the game. Those are the best relationships, ones to last a lifetime.”

Tarpey, meanwhile, has a similar tale to tell.

A hat-trick of promotions, a deal to become a professional footballer and a record-breaking goalscoring season, the 35-year-old too boasts a CV that many aspiring footballers could only dream of.

Tarpey announced his retirement last week after rupturing his ACL for a second time, while playing for Marlow against Biggleswade Town in the FA Trophy.

Starting at Basingstoke Town and then Hampton & Richmond, the skilful forward also enjoyed a spell at Farnborough before taking his game to a whole new level at Maidenhead United, scoring 44 goals in their National League South title winning season – still a league record.

That earned him a two-year pro deal at National League high-fliers Barnet but Tarpey suffered a serious knee injury on his home debut, prompting a lengthy period of rehabilitation.

A stint at Woking saw him rediscover his form before Bracknell Town and Leatherhead led him to a promotion-winning season at Marlow under manager Mark Bartley before his latest injury.

“I always said over the last few years, as long as I can stay injury free I’ll keep playing,” Tarpey told the Maidenhead Advertiser.

“I’ve got three children and a fiancé at home who have had to put up with me travelling up and down the country for the last 13 years.

“I got three promotions, won numerous county cups and I can retire and say for the level I’ve played, I feel I’ve had a great career with what I’ve done.

“Some people don’t get promoted at all in their career, to say I’ve won three is a great achievement.”

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Gloucester County League - League Cup

Saturday 2nd November 2024 Kick Off 2pm