Welcome to the latest instalment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
We went to Cheltenham for this instalment of the blog, but not to the League One club. This time, we went to Cheltenham Saracens, another hidden gem in the town. They compete in the Hellenic League Division One, and their opponent was Hartpury University, a newcomer to the league.
It’s All In The Name
The club's nickname is the 'Sarries.' It's been difficult to determine why the club chose the name Saracens, as a Saracen was a Middle Ages knight, according to Google. So, grasping at straws, it can be said that the club chose the name because it contains references to fighting and battles, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Some More Notable People From Cheltenham:
Gustav Holst – Composer
Kitty Brucknell – Singer
Robert Hardy – Harry Potter Actor
Screaming Dead - The Band Often Claimed As The Founders Of Horror Punk
William Pollock - Chess Player
A History Lesson From AFC Finners
Cheltenham Saracens began as a multi-sports club in 1964 by a group of friends who worked together at Smith Industries, including Bob Attwood. They were promoted to the fifth tier of the Cheltenham League and grew in popularity over time. They were elected to the Hellenic League Division One in 1986 after several promotions. They stayed for many years before winning the league in 2000, only to be relegated to Division One West in 2002.
Nine years later, they would win promotion and finish 12th in the Hellenic League Premier Division, their highest league position in history. The following season, they had their best performance in the FA Vase, reaching the first round. In 2015, the club was relegated. In 2015-16, the club reached the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, their best performance in the competition. They are currently in Hellenic League Division One, hoping to improve on their sixth-place finish last season.
Honours
🏆Hellenic League Division One (Champions: 1999–2000)
🏆Gloucestershire Primary Challenge Cup (Winners: 1971–72)
🏆Gloucestershire Senior Amateur Cup (Winners: 1991–92)
🏆Cheltenham Minor Charities Cup (Winners: 2009–10)
An Interview With Cheltenham Saracens player, Harry Duncan:
GG: Hi Harry, thanks for taking the time to talk to us, firstly, Cheltenham Saracens is a club in the heart of Gloucestershire, but it is fair to say it is lesser known due to Cheltenham Town’s success, what would you say the club means to its fans?
HD: 'Sarries' is a fantastic club, and the regulars we see each week are what make it so special; the volunteers and fans are what push everyone forward and provide a platform for the players and staff to achieve great things each season.
GG: What are the club’s aspirations?
HD: The club has lofty goals; they want to join the Southern League and do it the right way. It's fair to say that it's a lot easier for some clubs now that they have large budgets and financial backing. However, with such a small changing room, it's always been about playing together to achieve something.
GG: Tell us a fun fact about the club
HD: The current ground is built on an old rubbish tip.
GG: Tell us your favourite story during your time with the club
HD: For me, 'Sarries' has always been my home; I started there when I was three, and to be able to play for the first team now is a dream come true. My favourite memories from last season include scoring two goals away at Worcester Raiders and scoring in the cup final for the Under 18s to secure the trophy. It doesn't get much better from here.
GG: Who can you say has had the biggest impact on the club?
HD: I believe the volunteers deserve a lot of credit and have helped the club a lot over the years, but the chairman, Graham Roberts, is a pivotal and vital part of the club and helps them every day to keep the club alive. Fred and Chris always have a big smile on their faces and are extremely helpful.
GG: Finally, why should people come down and watch a game?
HD: On a Saturday, it doesn't get much better than watching 'Sarries,' with a friendly atmosphere and a fantastic welcome, cheap drinks and, on rare occasions, some decent football being played. Despite the surface.
Matchday: Cheltenham Saracens 0-0 Hartpury University
The stadium is located in the heart of Cheltenham, about two miles from Whaddon Road, near the Kingsditch area. There is plenty of parking at the stadium, as there is a car park adjacent to the stadium, but if that fills up, there is plenty of parking in the residential areas surrounding the stadium, which would require a short walk to the stadium.
Before we arrived at the stadium, we decided to stop at KFC (other food establishments are available) for a quick bite to eat. A lady came in and ordered her food while I was eating, and what happened next would not be out of place in a comedy sketch. She was given food, but she decided she didn't like it because it contained chicken (funny that), which, in her opinion, was the fault of the staff. Her partner then began yelling as well. The woman and her partner then got into a shouting match. Come on, it's lunchtime, not time to storm the Bastille. Anyway, we ran as fast as we could away from there before she could yell at us for eating chicken in a chicken establishment, and headed to the stadium.
When we arrived on the ground, we were greeted by a man standing at a gate. We paid £5 for this man's entry (as non-members), but if you're a member, it's only £3. Children are admitted for free. The stadium has a small area designated for children to play football if they become bored or distracted during the game. The stadium has three stands, two of which have approximately 100 seats each, and the third is a covered terrace. Everyone on the ground was clearly a close-knit group, and they were lovely to talk to and very welcoming. We use the phrase "community feel" a lot on this blog, but this club truly had it when we were there.
There is a small trailer selling food and drinks. The establishment serves sausage rolls, sandwiches, and pasties, so if you want to eat while watching the game, you'll be fine. The atmosphere at the game was positive, but the fans did not make much noise. It got so quiet that one of the players exclaimed, "Why is it so quiet?" However, the lovely people who were present made up for it.
Teamsheets
Cheltenham Saracens
Manager: Ryan Betteridge
Jon Dix
Connor Stalley
Coby Handley
John Evans
Tom Hoskins
Jacob Nowell
Edd Major (c)
Harry Burns
James Barnes-Willis
Alfie Richmond
Stuart Midwinter
Substitutes
Aaron Mason
James Robertson
Harvey Brookes
Lewis Newell
Hartpury University
Manager: Martin Longworth
Josh Nichol
Dion Ellis-Clark
Alex Hainault
Owen Giles
Laiith Fairnie
Josh Beadle
Luca Robinson
Jacob Towns
Morgan Mahoney
Riley McGregor
Kian Kang (c)
Substitutes
Yarmolenko Vladaslav
Kieran Taylor
Luke Salter
Alex Ane
Stephen Sarkodie
The game started quickly, and Hartpury University had a shot from Morgan Mahoney that went wide in the ninth minute. Riley McGregor fired in a goal for Hartpury in the 27th minute, but it was ruled offside. Mahoney had another opportunity after a long ball over the top found him in space, but his shot was well over. As it stood, the first half ended 0-0.
To say the least, the second half was uninteresting. Hartpury University had the best chance, with a free kick from around 25 yards out, but the shot was blocked by the wall. Josh Beadle then found himself in a lot of space on the edge of the box, and he fired a shot that went wide. There were no more chances for either team, and the game ended 0-0. Cheltenham Saracens will be pleased with the result as they look to consolidate their position in the league. Hartpury University's goal is to develop young talent, and their performance today suggests that they have a few players at the start of their successful careers.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 2.5/10
Food and Drink: 4/10
Stadium: 4/10
Welcome: 9/10
Overall Experience: 6/10
GG
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