Welcome to the most recent instalment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
This time around, we're back in the FA Cup, this time hosted by Slimbridge AFC. Slimbridge usually plays in the Southern League Division One South at Thornhill Park, which is a short drive away in the Gloucestershire village of Cambridge. Sholing FC, who also play in the Southern League Division One South, were their opponents for this game.
The Wetland Centre, which is home to many different bird species, is the most obvious thing to do in Slimbridge. Slimbridge is not far from Dursley, which hosts a large car boot sale on Saturdays. A short drive away are Berkeley Castle, Edward Jenner's House, and Purton's Ships' Graveyard. After we took in the delights of Slimbridge, we headed over to the stadium.
It’s All In The Name
Slimbridge AFC are referred to as the Swans. This is because the town is well-known for its Wetland Centre, which houses a variety of birds, including swans.
A History Lesson From AFC Finners
Slimbridge AFC was established in 1902. In the 1950s, they relocated to their current home, Thornhill Park, and spent the majority of the next 40 years in the Stroud and District League. They were in some financial difficulty in 1988, but were helped out by a group of committee members led by Gordon King and Gordon Tudor, with Paul Chappel joining the following year to help with the rebuild. Following that, new, improved facilities were installed, which led to them joining the Gloucestershire County League, where they won immediate promotion to the Hellenic League Division One West.
They went on to win this league, as well as the Hellenic Premier League in 2007. Unfortunately, the club was unable to take their place in the Southern League due to internal disputes, and they were relegated to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. Within a few years, they had secured a series of promotions that would see them return to the Hellenic top flight. In 2013, they moved to the Western Premier Division, and in 2015, they were promoted back to the Southern League. They are currently in the Southern League Division One South, hoping to advance through the leagues.
And a fun fact: their stadium is named Thornhill Park after Evi Thornhill, a former player who left the land for the stadium to the club in his will when he died in 1960.
Honours
🏆 Stroud & District League Division One (Winners: 1953-54, 1998-99) (Runner’s up: 1997-98)
🏆 Stroud & District League Division Two (Winners: 1952-53)
🏆 Stroud & District League Division Three (Winners: 1951-52)
🏆 Stroud & District League Division Four (Winners: 1989-90)
🏆 Gloucestershire Minor County Cup (Winners: 1951-52, 1989-90)
🏆 Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One (Winners: 2007-08) (Runner’s Up: 2000-01)
🏆 Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two (Runner’s Up: 1999-00)
🏆 Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Cup (Winners: 2000-01) (Runner’s Up: 1999-00)
🏆 Gloucestershire Junior County Cup (Winners: 1997-98)
🏆 Gloucestershire County League (Winners: 2008-09) (Runners Up: 2001-02)
🏆 Stroud & District Charity Cup (Winners: 1999-00, 2001-02, 2009-2010) (Runner’s Up: 2002-03)
🏆 Hellenic League Premier Division (Winners: 2006-07)
🏆 Hellenic League Division One West (Winners: 2002-03, 2009-2010)
🏆 Brian Wells Cup (Winners: 2002-03)
🏆 Floodlit Cup (Winners: 2003-04, 2005-06)
🏆 Western League Premier Division (Third, Promoted: 2014-15)
🏆 Gloucestershire Challenge Trophy (Winners: 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07)
An Interview with Slimbridge AFC co-chairman, Colin Gay:
We spoke with Slimbridge AFC co-chairman Colin Gay, who answered questions about the club, non-league football, and much more.
GG: Firstly, could you please tell us a little bit about Slimbridge Football Club?
CG: Slimbridge in Gloucestershire is famous for its Bird Sanctuary, but in recent years, much effort has gone into making Slimbridge more well-known in football circles. The history of the club can be traced back to the 1899/1900 season, when the team competed in local football at various venues in and around the village. A gap in the records suggests that there may have been a couple of seasons when no games were played, so the Club's centenary was officially celebrated in 2002/03. Except for a brief stint in the Gloucester Northern Senior League between 1960 and 1968, the Club spent the next forty years primarily in the Stroud and District League, with varying degrees of success and failure. The current ground at Wisloe Road (now renamed Thornhill Park) became the club's home in 1951, and it later became the legal property of the club after former player and ex-Chairman of the club, Evi Thornhill, bequeathed the land to the Club in his Will, with the Club becoming legal owners in 1960. It was to become an extremely valuable treasure in the coming years.
GG: How long have you been the chairman of Slimbridge, and how did you get the job?
CG: I am in my second year as Co-Chairman with my brother Barry, who took over as Chairman from John Mack when the club was promoted to the Southern League in 2015. Prior to that, I was Club Secretary for 12 years. It was a simple appointment because running a club at this level requires a lot of work and commitment, so to relieve Barry's stress and workload, I stepped in to help and we became Co-Chairmen. I knew we had a perfect replacement for me as Secretary in Alena Wrixon, a valuable member of our club and an 'Administrative' legend! Alena also serves as our treasurer and can be seen serving burgers and other snacks in our kitchen at every home game; there can't be many other clubs where this happens, can there?
GG: Can you tell us something interesting about Slimbridge AFC?
CG: Slimbridge AFC have 2 ‘Gay’ Chairmen! By name only though! Barry and Colin.
GG: What are your thoughts on running a non-league football club? How does it differ from running a club in a higher league, in your opinion?
CG: Running a club at the Non-League level is extremely difficult, and we are extremely fortunate to have a fantastic committee that is very strong, as well as some very dedicated match day volunteers, without whom it would be impossible to run the club at this level. I would say that the difference between running a club at this level and higher leagues is that we make sure to have fun along the way, which is very important in my opinion; we must all enjoy what we do or we will leave, simple as that!
Everyone who walks through our double gates on a match day is made to feel welcome, and we are well known for being a "family" club, which Barry and I intend to maintain.
GG: How important is the club to the community?
CG: As I previously stated, we welcome the community with open arms here at Thornhill Park. We host monthly quiz nights, the local steam rally meets here on a monthly basis, and we have a U/18s youth side that includes many local young lads. Our clubhouse is very popular for hosting various types of parties, and we also host music events that raise important funds for the club.
GG: What are the club's short-term goals?
CG: I suppose our main short-term goal is to establish ourselves as a respected southern league club and finish in the top half of the league this season. We have a very ambitious management team that wants to see us progress, and they have worked very hard to improve things not only on the field but also off it, which Barry and I are very pleased about.This season, the club has a very good 'feel factor,' we have recruited well and improved how we approach things, the appointment of a commercial manager in Kevin Wilson has been a godsend, and Kevin is working extremely hard to not only bring in much needed sponsorship but also to promote our club out there in the community.
GG: Is there a star player in the team?
CG: No, the club does not have a single star player because they are all stars in my opinion!
GG: This is an FA Cup match; what does the chance to play in the FA Cup mean to a club like Slimbridge?
CG: As far as I'm concerned, the FA Cup is the greatest football competition in the world, and our participation in it means so much. The prize money has increased over the years, and it provides teams at our level and below with a fantastic opportunity to put some much needed 'dosh' in the bank! Every club dreams of getting into the hat in the later rounds and drawing a football league club, with all the excitement that brings, and we all know what kind of income that would bring to small clubs like us, we all dream, and I'm hoping that one day it will be The Swans' turn! Who can say?
GG: Finally, tell us why people should come to Slimbridge Football Club.
CG: To be honest, this is the easiest question to answer. Come to Slimbridge Football Club and you will be assured of a warm welcome, a decent pint served by our wonderful bar staff, the best burger in Gloucestershire, the banter of the 'patio brigade,' and hopefully some good football played on a surface that is second to none in non-league football (see the trophies in the clubhouse cabinet, Groundsman of the Year). Most importantly, you will leave with a smile on your face and a desire to return!
UP THE SWANS!!!
Thank you to Colin for taking the time to talk to us, it is greatly appreciated.
Matchday: Slimbridge AFC 0-0 Sholing FC
The stadium is located in the parish of Cambridge, Gloucestershire, about 5 minutes from the centre of Slimbridge. There is free parking at the stadium on a nearby industrial site, so this should not be an issue for anyone visiting the stadium. The ground is quite hidden, so you'll need to be on the lookout when visiting.
When we arrived at the stadium, we were greeted by a friendly steward who assisted us in finding our way around. The manager of Slimbridge AFC then greeted us with a "hello." We went through the turnstile and paid the admission fee (£9 for adults, £6 for concessions). The stadium is a standard non-league venue, but it has a lot of personality. At the stadium, there are two stands. One for approximately one hundred fans, and another for those who prefer to stand on the terraces. There is a clubhouse with a bar where the Premier League game was being shown. There are various swans around the ground for people to spot.
A small kitchen, run by the nicest lady on the planet, serves burgers, hotdogs, chips, and crisps. I ordered a burger, which, while slightly small, tasted delicious and was well worth the £3.50 asking price. The lady who served us exemplified what everyone at Slimbridge was like: helpful, kind, humorous, and attentive. That is most likely the warmest welcome we have ever received at a football stadium.
The atmosphere was lacking, which was understandable given the calibre of the game on display. Nobody expected a large crowd at Sholing, which is near Southampton and nearly a three-hour drive from Slimbridge. It was a small crowd, and it would have taken something special to make it loud.
Teamsheets
Slimbridge AFC
Manager: Tom Speers
Lewis Adams
Jacob Geddes
Toby Lawrence
Myron Turner
Nath Dennis
Ben Hands
Brad Bevan
James Sunley
Edji Mbunga
Ethan Dunbar
Marley Thomas
Substitutes
Zac Mitchell
Dan Troke
Jack Holmes
Ben Prictor
Joe Shutt
Dylan Lewis
Brandon Barnes
Sholing FC
Manager: Dave Diaper
Ryan Gosney
Brad Targett
Marv Mclean
Owen Roundell
Dan Miller (c)
Rob Flooks
Conor Whiteley
Rob Nicholls
Dan Mason
Sami Makhloufi
Charlie Wagstaffe
Substitutes
Jake Cope
Josh Batt
Tomasz Gruzewski
Dom Panesar-Dower
Wayne Robinson
Dean Frampton
Stu Green
Slimbridge, who were good on the ball and played some intricate football, dominated the first half. Slimbridge's shot from 18 yards out was saved by Ryan Gosney in the ninth minute. Slimbridge were awarded a penalty after a handball in the fourteenth minute, but the Slimbridge player hit it wide of the post. Sholing then had a chance, but the keeper saved a shot from Rob Nicholls. Then Sami Makhloufi hit the side netting. Sholing cleared the ball off the line from the next corner, and the score was 0-0 at halftime.
The second half was a lot more even. Rob Flooks had a low shot saved by Slimbridge's goalkeeper after 47 minutes. Daniel Mason then got between the last defender and the goalkeeper and attempted to loop the ball into the net, but it landed on the roof of the net. Sami Makhloufi's shot was then well saved. Ryan Gosney miskicked the ball in the final minute, allowing Slimbridge through on goal with no goalkeeper to beat, but Dan Miller saved Sholing with a last-ditch block. In the end, the score was 0-0 after a very entertaining game. Slimbridge were the better team, and if they continue to play like that in the league, their position should improve significantly, whereas Sholing will need to improve if they are to beat Slimbridge in the replay.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 4/10
Food and Drink: 7/10
Stadium: 5.5/10
Welcome: 9.5/10
Overall Experience: 7.5/10
GG
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