Welcome to the latest installment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
For this installment, we travelled back to Oxfordshire for some Hellenic League Divison One action as Clanfield 85 took on Tytherington Rocks at Radcot Road.
Some Notable Former Players
Harry Bowl
A History Lesson From The Gloucester Groundhopper
There is evidence that the club was founded in 1890 and played on a surface at Chestlion Farm before relocating to a pitch near Faringdon Road in the mid-1900s. The team joined the North Berks Football League for the 1924-25 season and won Division Two in their first attempt. They stayed in the North Berks League for another season before leaving.
After winning the Witney and District League in 1966-67, the team entered the Hellenic Football League, beginning in Division 1. Two seasons later, they were promoted to the Premier Division as Division One champions. They subsequently spent the following ten years in the Premier Division, where they made their FA Vase debut and finished runners-up twice until being demoted to Division One at the end of the 1979-80 season.
However, they just needed one season to achieve promotion, finishing second in Division One in 1980-81.
The club came last in the Premier Division at the end of the 1984-85 season, forcing it to be reconstituted in April of that year under the new official name of Clanfield (April 1985) Football Club. The rebuilt team took over Clanfield's position in the Hellenic League and began the 1985-86 season in Division One.Since then, the team has remained in Division One of the Hellenic League, moving to Division One West when the league was reformed for the 2000-2001 season.
During the 2005-06 season, floodlights were erected at the pitch, allowing the club to compete in the league's floodlight cup competition. Additional site improvements include new dug-outs and seats in the main stand.
In the 2010-11 season, the club made their FA Cup debut, losing to Fareham Town in their first game in the extra preliminary qualification round. This season, the club finished fourth in Division One West, only three points behind second place and promotion to the Premier Division. In subsequent seasons, they finished eighth, eleventh, fifth, and ninth in 2014-15.
During the 2015-16 preseason, the club met National Conference outfit Eastleigh at Radcot Road, where the professional side won 4-0. The 2015-16 season was a period of change for the senior team, as manager Peter Osborne began to focus more on youth development. The team had several very bright young players emerging, which was reflected in the results and eventual placing of third from the bottom.
The club's management was restructured for the 2021-22 season, with Andy Lyne becoming the first Director of Football.Chris Blakely and Martin Staddon withdrew from their First Team commitments, and the club appreciates them both for their efforts throughout their time with Jamie.Following a serious injury sustained while playing overseas, Jordi Mulvany returned to the club as First Team Coach.The season was a triumph for Clanfield, as they finished third in Division One, losing in the semi-finals to Hereford Pegasus, who went on to win the championship against Worcester Raiders. In addition, they were eliminated from the Challenge Cup semi-finals by a 1-0 loss to the eventual winners, Cribbs FC.
Craig Connor took over as First Team Assistant for the 2022-23 season after deciding to retire from playing. During the pre-season, the club won the Jim Newman Trophy for the third time in a row, defeating Cropredy 8-1.Clanfield finished fourth, clinching a Play-Off berth for the second consecutive season, this time against Milton United.This time, the Robins were defeated on penalties, with Milton going on to win promotion over Hartpury University.
Honours
🏆 Hellenic Football League Premier Division (Runners-up: 1972–73, 1973–74)
🏆 Hellenic Football League Division One (Winners: 1969–70) (Runners-up: 1980–81)
🏆 North Berkshire Football League Division Two (Winners: 1924–25)
🏆 Hellenic Football League Premier Division Cup (Winners: 1973–74)
🏆 Hellenic Football League Premier Division Cup (Winners: 1985–86)
🏆 Oxfordshire Junior Cup (Winners: 1932–33)
🏆 Witney Senior Challenge Cup (Winners: 1932–33)
🏆 Faringdon Memorial Cup (Runners-up: 2004–05, 2012–13)
Matchday: Clanfield 85 4-0 Tytherington Rocks
We travelled to Oxfordshire, after a last minute decision made us choose to visit Clanfield 85. Myself, AFC Finners and Luke the Stuart Dallas Fan arrived in Clanfield in good time, and took advantage of the free parking available at the ground. We then went for a walk into the village, and found a lovely cafe called Blake's Kitchen, where we had a lovely breakfast served by lovely people.
After this, we went back to the stadium, and paid the £6 entry fee, then entered. We initially went into the club bar, which is situated within the stand at the ground. We absolutely loved this club bar, it was cosy with the log fire on, and the pricing was decent. The early kick off (Chelsea vs Fulham) was being shown on the big tv in the bar, and pin badges were being sold for £3.
After this, we went for a customary walk around the ground. It is clear that a great deal of pride is taken by the club in their ground, which is refreshing to see. There is a second stand in the process of being built behind one of the goals, as well as the one initial big stand. It is a stadium that is going to improve in the near future.
We decided to stand behind the dugouts for the game, and it was lovely that Tytherington Rocks manager, Steve Farr, took time out and shook our hands and thanked us for the work we do for non league, it really was lovely and made our days. The Clanfield staff and locals were really welcoming as well. They were friendly and helpful in communicating with us so that our visit went smoothly.
There was food available in the bar, with a selection of rolls for £1.50 each, and a menu with hot food also on offer. The hot food included Chicken Dippers and Chips, and hotdogs. It was a fair range of food for the level that the club is at, and it was a decent price too.
Also at this level, you don't expect a massively great atmosphere, especially with the crowds you expect to see there. It will come as no surprise to hear that the atmosphere wasn't great, but again, it would be unfair to pass judgment on this when it is at the level it is.
Teamsheet
Clanfield 85
Manager: Jamie Butt
Luke Haley
Tom Taylor
Ben Weller
Dylan Kay
Sam Elkins (c)
Cameron Pirie
Nathaneal Robinson ⚽️
Rhys King ⚽️
George Seacole ⚽️
Tyger Hall
Nathan Kimber
Jack Gaul
Substitutes
Reuben Harry
Jozef Fullerton ⚽️
Karl Dickinson
Nathan Simms
Tytherington Rocks
Manager: Steve Farr
Peter Dykes
Kalil Traore
Andy Peterson
Nate Croot (c)
Connor Davey
Kian Whatmough
Tarji Jones
Stuart Nelson
Levelle Bishop
Max Ferretti
Tom Bidder
Substitutes
Blake Longden
Mathew Sumner
Jackson Gillard
Sam Russell
The first half of the game was a complete non-event, with the only talking point being a penalty awarded for a trip on a Tytherington Rocks player, which was later reversed and converted to free kick. Nothing came from that free kick.
The second half saw more action, with Clanfield grabbing the lead in the 49th minute. The ball was delivered to the striker, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Tytherington custodian Peter Dykes, and George Seacole tapped in to score it 1-0.
It was eventually 2-0. Poor midfield play allowed the ball to fall to Rhys King, who scored brilliantly past Dykes to double his lead. Soon afterwards, the score was 3-0. The ball was passed out wide to Nathaniel Robinson, who hammered it into the far corner for three.
The final goal, and perhaps the best of the bunch, made it 4-0. Another loose ball in midfield fell to the feet of Jozef Fullerton, who flicked it up and volleyed it past the Tytherington custodian to make it four and put the cherry on the icing on the cake for Clanfield.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 2/10
Food and Drink: 6/10
Stadium: 5/10
Welcome: 8/10
Overall Experience: 7.5/10
GG
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