Longwell Green Sports F.C.

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Longwell Green Sports
100px
Full name Longwell Green Sports Football Club
Nickname(s) The Green or "Sports"
Founded 1966
Ground Longwell Green Community Stadium, Shellards Road, Longwell Green
Ground Capacity 1000 (75 seated)
Chairman England John Gibbs
Manager England Ali Biggs
League Western League
Premier Division
2014–15 Western League
Premier Division, 16th

Longwell Green Sports F.C. is a football club based in the Bristol suburb of Longwell Green, in England. They are currently members of the Western League Premier Division which is Step 5 of the National League System. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.

Their home ground is located at Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road, Longwell Green.

Club history

Pre-2003
The club was formed by workers from Longwell Green Coachworks, whose name was adopted for the team in 1966 after the great upsurge of interest in football following England's World Cup success against West Germany in the World Cup Final at Wembley. The team, then known as Longwell Green Sports FC, started in the old regional Bristol Saturday League and then moved to the Bristol and District League in the mid-1970s gaining promotion at regular intervals until winning their first major championship in 1983 when lifting the Division Four crown.

This success followed the arrival as a player of the current general manager John Gibbs in 1978, which was the start of a 36-year association with the club. Gibbs took over as player-manager in 1984, leading the team to promotion five times in nine seasons.

One of several successes during this period included becoming Bristol and District League Senior Division champions in 1990. Further success was achieved when they became Bristol Premier Combination Division One runners-up for three successive seasons, resulting election to the Premier Division. In 1995, their first season at the new level, they finished two points behind Bitton, while a 3–2 victory over Highridge in the final of the Premier Combination Cup completed a successful opening campaign.

The team remained in the Premier Division for nine seasons, often pushing for promotion but never reaching the top spot before making two important changes. Firstly, Chris Wyrill was brought in as chairman and his business skills were to help develop the club and move it forward off the pitch, and then Matt Hale returned to the club where he had first played as a 15-year-old schoolboy. Hale had enjoyed a professional career with Bristol City, Yeovil and Weymouth before coming back to assist Gibbs as player-coach.

In 2002 Sports were runners up in the GFA Senior Amateur Cup, losing on penalties to Nicholas Wanders.

2003–04
In 2003 the club changed its name from Longwell Green Sports FC to Longwell Green Sports, to reflect their partnership with Longwell Green Juniors and the formation of Senior & Junior Netball teams to form a broader community sports club.

At the end of the 2003–04 season, the team finished runners-up[1] in the Bristol Premier Combination and carried out the necessary work to step up to the Gloucestershire County League, thanks mainly to the hard work of Gibbs, backed by the committee. Gibbs moved up to general manager and Hale took over as first team boss who guided them to runners-up spot to Highridge on goal difference in their first season.

2004–07
At the end of the 2004–05 season Longwell Green Sports finished as runners up[2] in the Gloucestershire County League and were promoted to Division One of the Western League for the first time. As a result of the promotion they made further improvements to their home ground at Shellards Road. The team spent the next 3 seasons (2005–2008) in the Western League First Division.

2008–09
In the 2008–09 season Longwell Green Sports were promoted to the Premier Division of the Western League after finishing Division One runners-up[3] to Larkhall Athletic.

2009–10
The 2009–10 season saw Longwell Green Sports finish in their highest ever league position of 11th[4] in the Western League Premier Division and play in the F.A. Cup for the first time, losing 2–0 to Almondsbury Town F.C. in the extra preliminary round.[5]

2010–11
Former Tiverton coach Martyn Grimshaw, joined the club as assistant to manager Julian Harmer for the start of the 2010–11 season. However, in November 2010, after a run of ten successive defeats, Harmer was replaced by Paul Britton. Martyn Grimshaw retained the assistant managers role and was joined by Gary Brown. Britton and Brown had previously been the management team for Mangotsfield United Reserves.

Despite the appointment of the new management team, results only marginally improved and the team languished in the bottom half of the league for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. Matt Hale took over the management role for the last six games of the season but it was not until a 2–1 victory in the last game of the season, against fellow strugglers Wellington, the club secured 17th position[6] in the league and thereby retained their Premier Division status for the 2011–12 season.

The team defeated New Milton Town after a replay of an Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, eventually losing 3–0 at home to Hamble Aerostructures Sports & Social Club in the Preliminary Round.

The clubs crowd attendances for the 2010–11 season were still strong despite the lack of on-field success. The club finished the season with the highest home average attendance of the Western League Premier Division with an average attendance of 136.[7] Their highest home attendance for 2010–11 was 383 for the match against local rivals Bitton AFC.[8]

2011–12
Matt Hale was appointed team manager for the 2011–12 season. Hale's assistant was Martyn Grimshaw.

In October 2011 Hale stood down as first team coach to take up a full-time position with the Southampton F.C.Youth Academy. As a result, Martyn Grimshaw was appointed manager[9] with ex-Bristol Rovers player Simon Bryant being installed as assistant manager.

In March 2012, after a poor run of results in which Sports won just one of fourteen games, former Hanham Athletic and Oldland Abbotonians manager Spencer Thomas and his assistant Justin Cartledge were brought in to assist Martyn Grimshaw[10] At the same time, the Sports board announced that Thomas would take over the team management role for the 2012–13 season. However, in early April 2012 Martyn Grimshaw stepped aside as co-manager to enable Spencer Thomas to take charge for the club's final two games of the 2011–12 season.

Paul Milsom was added to the coaching staff in April 2012.[11]

In the FA Cup Sports defeated Bristol Manor Farm 3–2 after a replay of the Extra Preliminary round but for the second year running were unable to progress past the Preliminary round losing away to Merthyr Town 1–0

There was improvement in the league as Sports finished the 2011–12 season in 13th position.[12] Attendances also saw a small improvement as the average attendance increased on the 2010/11 season to 139.[13]

2012–13
2012–13 is best described as an average season for the club with minimal highs and lows. While relegation was never a major concern any thoughts of a top 3 finish were banished by the time the season had reached midway. One off-field positive was the stability of the management team after the many changes seen in the previous few seasons.

After a 0-0 result at home in the first game, Sports were eliminated from the F.A. Cup in the preliminary round replay going down 3-1 at Melksham Town.[14]

In other cup competitions Sports lost 5-3 at home to Winterbourne United in the second round of the Les Phillips League Cup.[15] They were eliminated from the Gloucestershire FA - Challenge Trophy in Round 3, losing 3-2 on penalties to Cotswolds based team Taverners F.C.[16] After a creditable 0-0 away result against Larkhall Athletic they were disappointed to lose the replay 2-1 in the F.A. Vase 2nd Round.[17]

Sports finished the 2012–13 season in 15th position,[18] slightly down on the previous year.

Also down was the clubs average home league attendance figure which fell by 19% on the previous year to 112.[19]

Their highest home attendance for the 2012–13 season was 265 for the match against local rivals Cadbury Heath on 18 Aug 2012.[20]

2013–14
The 2013/14 season saw further consolidation by Sports after they finished in a comfortable mid table position.

The team progressed into the Preliminary round of the FA Cup after winning 2-1[21] at Bradford Town in the Extra Preliminary round. In the Preliminary round Sports were drawn away to Portsmouth based club Moneyfields F.C where they drew 2-2.[22] However, the curse of the Preliminary round struck the club again when, despite dominating much of the game, Sports were beaten 2-1[23] at home in the subsequent replay.

Success in the Les Phillips Cup also elluded Sports when they were eliminated on penalties at home to Odd Down (Bath) F.C.[24]

Close to the season end Spencer Thomas announced his decision to stand down as manager due to work commitments. Tytherington Rocks F.C. manager and former Bristol Rovers player Gary Powell was appointed as Sports manager after guiding Tytherington to the Hellenic League Division One West championship.[25]

At the same time Chris Wyrill stood down as Chairman after 18 years in the post during which he oversaw the rise of the club from a Bristol Premier Combination to one firmly established in the Western League. Club General Manager and local businessman John Gibbs was elevated to Chairman. This also coincided with several changes to the clubs committee members.

The club management changes also saw an easing in the clubs long term 'no player payment' policy with 'win bonuses' on the table for the first time for the 2014/15 season.

Current Season

2014–15

Season-by-season record since 2002

Season Division Position Notes
2002–03 Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division 6
2003–04 Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division 2 Runner-up
2004–05 Gloucestershire County League 2 Runner-up
2005–06 Western League Division One 12
2006–07 Western League Division One 8
2007–08 Western League Division One 8
2008–09 Western League Division One 2 Runner-up
2009–10 Western League Premier Division 11 Highest league position
2010–11 Western League Premier Division 17
2011–12 Western League Premier Division 13
2012–13 Western League Premier Division 15
2013–14 Western League Premier Division 14
2014–15 Western League Premier Division 14

Club honours

  • Western League Division One :[26]
    • Runners-up: 2008–09
  • Gloucestershire County League:[26]
    • Runners-up: 2004–05
  • Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division:
    • Runners-up: 2003–04
  • Bristol Premier Combination Division one:
    • Runners-up: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95
  • GFA Senior Amateur Cup:
    • Runners-up: 2001–02
  • Bristol and District League Senior Division:
    • Winners: 1989–90
  • Bristol and District League Division Four:
    • Winners: 1982–83
  • Bristol Premier Combination League Cup[27]:
    • Winners: 1997–98
  • Gloucestershire FA Senior Amateur Challenge Cup (South)[27]:
    • Runners-up: 2001–02

Club statistics

Highest League Position 11th Western League Premier Division 2009–10
Best FA Cup Performance Preliminary Round 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 & 2013–14
Best FA Vase Performance Second Round 2012–13
Most Goals (Career) Andy Britton 400 goals
Record Attendance (League) 475 vs Bitton AFC[28] on 26 December 2011 in the Western League Premier Division.
Record Attendance (FA Cup) 90 vs Bristol Manor Farm[29] on 22 August 2011.

Local Rivalries

With promotion to the Western League First Division in the 2004/05 season and just two miles separating their respective grounds a fierce rivalry formed between Sports and Cadbury Heath FC. After Sports promotion to the Premier Division in the 2008/09 season the key rivalry changed to fellow Premiership Division team Bitton AFC whose ground is also located just two miles from Sports home in Shellards Road.

However, in the 2012–13 season the key rivalry with Cadbury Heath FC was restored after the latter were promoted to the Premier Division of the Western League.

Other senior teams

Longwell Green Sports Reserves

A reserve side was formed in 1984 and initially played in the Bristol and Avon League before joining the Bristol and District League. They now play in the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combination after gaining promotion from Division One in the 2008–09 season.[30]

Longwell Green Sports Reserves finished as champions of the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combination for the 2009–10 & 2010–11 seasons. However, the team did not apply to join the next feeder league (Gloucestershire County League) and they continue to play in the Bristol Premier Combination.

The team finished as runners-up to Mendip United for the 2011–12 season.[31]

Longwell Green Reserves finished as champions of the Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division for the 2012–13 season, the 3rd time they have achieved this feat.[32]

The team finished in 5th position of the Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division for the 2013–14 season.[33]

Longwell Green Sports "A"

The "A" team play in Senior Division of the Bristol and District League after winning the league and gaining promotion in the 2007–08 season. At the end of the 2011–12 season the "A" team finish 12th in the Senior Division of the Bristol and District League.[34]

The team finished in 10th position of the Senior Division of the Bristol and District league for the 2012–13 season.[35]

The team finished in 7th position of the Senior Division of the Bristol and District league for the 2013–14 season.[36]

Junior club

The club has a large junior section with a total of 22 teams and are known as Longwell Green Sports Juniors FC. The junior club has teams for both boys and girls with age ranges from Under 5's through to Under 18's.

Pre-Season Six-a-Side Tournament

An annual six-a-side pre-season tournament organised by Longwell Green Sports has become a longstanding tradition for many semi-professional teams in the Greater Bristol area.

Established in 1977 the tournament has previously attracted participation from several professional football clubs including both Bristol Rovers and Bristol City.

The competition usually takes place in early July where teams compete for the Bill Holloway Trophy named after the father of Ian Holloway who has strong links with the area and Longwell Green Sports Football Club.[37]

Competitors now tend to come from the Western League.

References

  1. ↑ Final Table of Bristol Premier League 2003/2004 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  2. ↑ Final Table of Gloucestershire County League 2004–05 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  3. ↑ Final Table of Western League Division 1 2008–09 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  4. ↑ Final Table of Western League Premier Division 2009–10 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk (2011-11-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  5. ↑ F. A. Cup 2009–10 Preliminary Round Results see game #178
  6. ↑ Final Table of Western League Premier Division 2010–11 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk (2011-11-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  7. ↑ Western League Premier Division Attendance Statistics 2010–11 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk (2011-11-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  8. ↑ List of Longwell Green Sports FC Results & Attendances for 2010/2011 season. 72.3.224.252. Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 LONGWELL GREEN SPORTS at the Football Club History Database
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Longwell Green Sports Football Club Toolstation League
  28. ↑ Longwell Green Record Attendance Confirmation. Football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-12-28.
  29. ↑ Record Attendance in the FA Cup. Football.mitoo.co.uk (2011-08-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  30. ↑ Final Table of Bristol & District League Division 1 2008–09 season. Football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved on 2011-12-22.
  31. ↑ Final Table of Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division 2011–12 season. thefa.com. Retrieved on 2012-05-14.
  32. ↑ Final Table of Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division 2012–11 season. thefa.com. Retrieved on 2013-05-12.
  33. ↑ Final Table of Bristol Premier Combination Premier Division 2013–14 season. thefa.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-20.
  34. ↑ Final Table of Bristol & District League Senior League 2011–12 season. Thefa.com Retrieved on 2012-05-11.
  35. ↑ Final Table of Bristol & District League Senior League 2012–13 season. Thefa.com Retrieved on 2013-05-12.
  36. ↑ Final Table of Bristol & District League Senior League 2013–14 season. Thefa.com Retrieved on 2014-08-26.
  37. ↑ Blackpool boss Ian Holloway hoping to attend Longwell Green Sixes. This is Bristol Retrieved on 2012-06-29.

External links

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