News – Page 11 – Tuffley Rovers AFC

Palmer decides to bow out but hopes for a fitting finale

Tuffley Rovers will be looking for a new manager of their Development Squad after Michael Palmer decided to step down from the role, as well as his position as manager of the club’s U18s squad.

Palmer’s two years with the Hellenic League club have been heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic, with neither of his seasons with the Development Squad – the first in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League and the second in Hellenic League, Division Two (West) – being fully completed, with his tenure covering only 30 competitive fixtures in two years (with a win ratio of 43% over the two campaigns).

However, much greater success has come in his role with the Rovers U18s squad, where 27 competitive games have yielded a win ratio of almost 63% and included a magnificent, record breaking run in the FA Youth Cup this season, with the club reaching the First Round Proper for the first time in their history, before a battling defeat at EFL club Cheltenham Town.

In addition, the departing coach has greatly assisted the development of several players, including Jacob Geddes and Rudi McKinnon who have become first team regulars with the club‘ s Hellenic League Premier Division side.

The final fixture of Palmer’s spell will come in the shape of the S Turier & Son Cheltenham Youth League Cup Final tomorrow (Thursday) night, when his side will face Bishops Cleeve at Evesham United’s Jubilee Stadium.

Palmer has yet to confirm his next role and is looking forward to a brief spell away from the game to “recharge his batteries”, following a conversation with Rovers’ Chairman Dan Boon.

“Mike spoke with me today and confirmed that he was looking to take a short break, following some difficult personal circumstances, but also felt now was a good time to look for a new role”, Boon confirmed. “He leaves on good terms, having done a good job in his two roles, and we wish him every success in the future.”

Palmer was also quick to acknowledge the support he’d received during his time at The Rovers.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Tuffley Rovers and I would like to thank all the staff and officials at the club for being so welcoming, encouraging and supportive”, he confirmed. “In addition, all the supporters who continued to spur us on even within a difficult year due to Covid.”

Palmer reserved special praise for another group.

“Most of all I want to say a big thank you to all the players and their families for all their efforts and support over the last two years. I wish the club all the success in the future.”

Chairman, Dan Boon, confirmed that the club were looking to take a different approach to management of their Development and U18s sides going forward.

“Given Mike’s decision this offers an opportunity to look again at the structure we have in place and we are probably looking to recruit separate management teams for the two squads he is leaving”, he explained.

Ken Blackburn, Head of Football Development, was effusive in his praise of Palmer.

“Michael has worked tirelessly in his roles with both the U18s and Development squads, this last two, difficult seasons. This has resulted in improved results, not least the FA Youth Cup run, and a number of young players coming through for the first team. It is sad that he has decided to move on and we will look to build on the hard work he has put in whilst at Tuffley Rovers, something I would like to thank him for.”

Anyone interested in applying for either role should send an expression of interest, setting out their experience and why they believe they are a suitable candidate, to admin@tuffleyroversfc.co.uk not later than 5pm on 16 June 2021.

Charity remains at the heart of Rovers’ kit designs

New sponsorship deals confirmed!

Hot on the heels of agreeing a new main sponsorship deal for their new first team kit, Tuffley Rovers have now confirmed the final design of their 2021/22 AthElite Sports match-day shirts for both of their Hellenic League sides.

As revealed two weeks ago, Rovers will wear the logo of South West Electrical on the front of their shirts next season, but they have now been able to confirm JMJ Fabrications Ltd as the main shirt sponsor for their Hellenic League Division Two squad, with JMJ’s Director, Jamie Gibbons, extending a long-standing association to the club through his backing of the Development Squad.

“We have a great relationship with Tuffley Rovers, who are literally very close to us, as they are on the doorstep of our own business” Gibbons confirmed. “Having worked with the club over the past 7 years we were keen to continue our support and sponsoring the Development Squad was an easy decision for us to make.”

Rovers have also agreed a deal with Ruroc, who are global brand, based locally, who sell ski and motorcycle helmets and apparel around the world and will see their logo on the sleeve of all nine Rovers adult section teams. Visit Ruroc.com to learn more about their product range.

In addition D&G Contracting Ltd, another local business, providing a wide range of construction services across the UK, have added their logo to the shoulders of all adult kits, as part of a separate sponsorship deal. You can read more about D&G Contracting Ltd via their website.

The logos for each company will form part of the new shirt design for the 2021/22 season, sitting alongside the logo of local charity, Heart Heroes, who the club have adopted as their charity for the last 12 months and will continue to work with in the next season. The charity’s logo will adorn one sleeve, alongside the new already confirmed that the change kit for all adult teams will be a green and pink design based around the Heart Heroes colours.

Kelly Cornish, the founder of Heart Heroes, was delighted with the club’s decision to include the charity as part of the kit design.

“Heart Heroes is very honoured and excited to see Tuffley Rovers new sponsors on the new shirt, but also delighted with the sleeve design showing our own logo. We cannot thank Tuffley Rovers enough for their support and our heart heroes are looking forward to being able to wear the kit themselves.”

With all the sponsors now confirmed, the design of the new AthElite Sports branded kit is now complete for both Hellenic League sides in 2021/22.

“We’re delighted to have sorted some really good sponsorship deals out so early”, Club Secretary, Neil Spiller, confirmed. “JMJ and Ruroc are returning sponsors, so we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support, which is invaluable to the club. Adding D&G Contracting and South West Electrical to the Rovers family means that we’ve not only been able to increase sponsorship revenue, but also form new relationships which we hope can be beneficial to all parties.”

“We’ve had such a positive response to the new kit designs and, if I say so myself, the company logos all just seem to blend in perfectly”, he added. “Including the Heart Heroes logo on the shirts was simply the perfect way to complete the design we intend to use next season.”

New sponsor from link to Rovers past

Having recently launched their new kit designs and range of merchandise, in association with AthElite Sports (https://www.athelitesports.co.uk/tuffley-rovers-fc), Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division side, Tuffley Rovers, can now confirm their first team kit sponsor for the 2021/22 playing season as South West Electrical.

The deal with the new sponsor has come about through a long-term connection with the joint owner of South West Electrical, Shayne Anson (now of Cirencester Town), a former Assistant Manager of the club’s Premier Division side and someone who also played for the club’s U18s side previously.

Anson and his business partner, Liam Lusty, started their business earlier this year and they specialise in domestic and commercial installations and see teaming up with Rovers as a fantastic opportunity to both gain a little more exposure of their company, but also make a contribution to a club in their local area.

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Tuffley Rovers”, Anson confirmed.

“We are both local lads and we also have a lot of friends who are involved in the club, both as players and in other roles. We saw this as an opportunity to team up with a friendly club that we feel close to”, he added. “We are both extremely excited to be part of the bigger project at Tuffley Rovers.”

Rovers’ Chairman, Dan Boon, is delighted to have secured this sponsorship, as part of a wider sponsorship push that is beginning to reap rewards.

“Obviously, knowing Shayne, in particular, makes this deal a little more special for us and we are delighted to have agreed a sponsorship package that should be good for both parties”, he confirmed. “From the moment we started discussions the relationship has been really positive, with both Shayne and Liam giving us a sense that they really want to support the growth and development of the club, alongside the excellent start they’ve had to the launch of their business.”

With the deal agreed, Rovers will now wear the South West Electrical logo on their three shirt designs for the next season, with the new AthElite Sports designs already attracting a great deal of positive feedback.

The club are also expected to announce several further sponsorship deals over the coming days, ahead of the new kits being used in the 2021/22 playing season.

New kits revealed

NEW KIT REVEAL!

As exclusively revealed via Severn Sport today, we are now able to confirm our new Home kit design for 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Having worn Claret & Blue since their formation in 1929, Rovers’ latest kit suppliers have come up with a modern design, which is the first kit produced by AthElite, as they look to expand the business started in 2018 by local Gloucestershire footballers Harlie Price, Matt Liddiard and Callum Preece.

Both parties are understandably delighted with the new deal, which will also see AthElite providing a full range of merchandise to be worn across the club’s senior and junior sections.

“I’m delighted to have this partnership in place and also be the first club to wear the AthElite brand across both adult and youth sections” said Rovers’ Chairman, Dan Boon. “We have already formed a strong working relationship with AthElite, who have been a pleasure to work with, and this is a deal that goes beyond simply launching the newly designed kits. They will also be providing us with an on-site and online club shop facility that will be a fantastic development for us.”

The new kit will be worn by all Tuffley Rovers sides, in both the youth and senior sections, from the start of next season and Harlie Price was quick to confirm how pleased AthElite are with the new deal.

“We are really excited to be able to work closely with Tuffley Rovers Football Club”, he confirmed. “The deal we have done will have huge benefits to the growth of our business, as well as benefiting a local football club, too.”

Price was also very enthusiastic about the way in which the deal had developed, and the relationship that was now in place. “We approached Tuffley Rovers as we knew they are a forward thinking club, with a committee who are willing to try out new things and listen to ideas”, he added. “From the moment conversations started it has been really positive and snowballed into a really exciting prospect. We are really excited to see what the future will hold for us all.”

In the coming days the new partnership will make further announcements, including confirming their new second and third choice strips, as well as new sponsors and the development of a new club shop facility, hosted by their newest kit provider.

If you’d like to see the growing range of AthElite Sports products you can visit their website at www.athelitesports.co.uk.

New First XI manager confirmed

Hellenic League Premier Division side Tuffley Rovers AFC have moved to confirm the appointment of Richard Cox as their new, permanent first team manager with immediate effect.

Cox, who had been holding the role on an interim basis since Mark Pritchett resigned in August, was the unanimous choice of the club’s Executive Committee following a recent recruitment process.

Rovers’ Football Chairman, Dan Boon, was pleased with the appointment but quick to confirm that the club had undertaken a robust selection exercise to ensure the right appointment.

“At the outset of this exercise, we made it clear that we saw this appointment as pivotal to the future of the club”, Boon confirmed. “Whilst Rich had the advantage of knowing the club well, he impressed the panel with his plans for developing the club and making us as successful as possible. We had some great applications, which emphasises the progress which has been made by the club.”

Cox, who will be the club’s fourth permanent manager since they returned to the Hellenic League in 2013, will take up the role with immediate effect, alongside his role as Lead Youth Development Phase coach at Cheltenham Town.

“I’m pleased we have secured Coxy’s services as the first team manager and see this as an opportunity for us to build on the foundations we’ve started to lay, off the field and in attracting good young players to the club”, said Ken Blackburn. “Hopefully this can be the start of a new era for Tuffley Rovers.”

Having had the appointment confirmed, Cox was quick to convey his enthusiasm for the task ahead.

“I am delighted to be appointed to the role on a permanent basis”, said Cox. “I feel that, after having the role on an interim basis, I have unfinished business and can’t wait to work with everyone involved to drive this great club forward.”

Rovers await confirmation of the plans for the re-commencement of the Hellenic League season, with a cup competition likely to take place in April and May if the Government roadmap proceeds as intended.

Applications invited for Tuffley Rovers first team manager role

Applications are now invited for the role as First XI Manager at Tuffley Rovers AFC, with the successful candidate leading our Hellenic League Premier Division squad.

Tuffley Rovers are seeking to appoint a new first team manager to lead their Hellenic League, Premier Division squad in the 2021/22 playing season. We are looking for a candidate who can:

Provide a knowledge and experience of local football that will assist in player recruitment
Have a passion for and proved record in player development
Offer commitment to training, match-days and other club activities
Act as a leader to coaches across our adult sides, as well as setting a positive example in relation to conduct and personal development
Support and mentor coaches in our Development Squad and U18s
Hold at least an FA Level 2 Coaching Qualification or be prepared to complete the qualification following appointment

This is an unpaid role but the successful candidate will be able to claim expenses associated to their duties as first team manager.

Anyone interested in applying for the role should submit their CV to ExecutiveCommittee@tuffleyroversfc.co.uk not later than 5pm on 6 March 2021, together with a covering note offering a self-assessment on their suitability for the role.

To discuss the role prior to applying, candidates can contact Ken Blackburn (Head of Football Development) on 07876 047536.

Rovers feeling charitable this Christmas!

Hellenic Leag ue Premier Division club Tuffley Rovers have, like many clubs, seen their on-field action this season disrupted by the impact of Covid-19 but they have still been busy, as a series of charitable, fund-raising ventures have been undertaken across the club’s nine senior teams.

In the late summer several of the club’s players and new Chairman, Dan Boon, completed a marathon walk in aid of Heart Heroes, raising over £3,600 for the local charity, before the club’s commercial team then partnered with their Ladies’ team sponsor, local sign-making firm Severn Signs, to raise more money for the same cause, through the sale of pitch-side advertising barriers. The club took no profit from the sales and helped to raise over £700.

The club were finally able to present the funds to Heart Heroes’ founder, Kelly Cornish, this week, with the funds of over £4,000 likely to make a real difference to the children who are supported by the charity.

“We been blown away by the support from The Tuffley Rovers club. We were lucky enough to see the lads when they finished their walk and most had been pushed to the limit. The amount raised was totally amazing. We’d like to say “thank you” to all involved”, said Kelly.

The club are now also in the process of collecting money to donate to a Christmas Food Bank, organised by the Podsmead Big Local, so that people who are struggling with food poverty.

Chairman, Dan Boon, is hoping this isn’t the last of the fund-raising efforts, whichever charity the club is trying to support.

“We’ve previously done a lot of fund-raising with another local charity, The James Hopkins Trust, but one of our players has a direct association to Heart Heroes, so we decided to give them some support this season”, he confirmed. “However, we are also keen to build on our relationship with the local community and what better cause than helping to ensure people have food on the table this Christmas?”, he added.

After the recent successes, the club have committed to doing all they can to help local charities and the local community and it is hoped that 2021 will see yet more activity to support these fantastic causes.

Attention has already turned to another campaign supporting Heart Heroes, with the club determined to support the charity in their quest to help families affected by Covid-19 who need portable ECG devices to support routine checks. £100 will help a child have essential checks that have been delayed by the cancellation of hospital appointments during the pandemic. Further details can be found via: https://www.kindlink.com/fundraising/Heart-Heroes/alivecor.

Kelly confirmed that the ECG devices will make a real difference to the families supported by the charity.

“These devices will help and facilitate the diagnosis of arrhythmia in our children and help in arriving at an early diagnosis in those with delayed access to services and those with infrequent symptoms. This will help cardiologists pick up the children with spaced symptoms, as well as get help for those who have been on the waiting list for a long time, due to Covid-19 interruptions.”

If any individuals or local businesses want to help the club and support the local charity they are urged to make contact via Commercial@tuffleyroversfc.co.uk for further details.

Rovers looking to return miles better

After Tuffley Rovers’ Uhlsport Hellenic League, Premier Division season juddered to an abrupt halt after a positive Covid-19 test for one of their players, they finally look to return to action at Fairford Town on Saturday afternoon and will also be looking to improve on their early season results, with caretaker manager, Rich Cox, having taken advantage of their three-week sabbatical to add to is squad.

The most notable addition is the signing of Cheltenham Town Academy prospect, Felix Miles, and Cox is hoping that a young talent he knows well from his role at The Robins will help to kick-start Rovers’ league campaign.

“I’m really excited to have brought Felix to the club”, said Cox on the rising star, who has signed on a work experience arrangement. “I see how good he is, day in, day out and think he will be a great asset to Tuffley Rovers. He’s someone I think can really help improve our side.”

Cox was effusive in his praise of the attacking player but thinks Rovers have brought in a player who will add more than just talent, but also a healthy work-rate.

“He works hard and takes risks and that is exactly what we want in the final third. This is a good move for Tuffley Rovers and for Felix, as it is a chance for him to further stretch his game and demonstrate his massive potential.”

The youngster has recently celebrated his 17th birthday and has been part of the youth set-up at Town since he joined their U9s but will now be linking up with Rovers for his first taste of senior football. He had recently been an unused substitute for the first team squad in an EFL Trophy win over Plymouth Argyle and has been regularly training with the first team squad at Whaddon Road.

Miles will link up with fellow Cheltenham scholar, Toby Lawrence, at Glevum Park. Lawrence, a second year central defender, has been at Tuffley since the beginning of the season making four appearances so far.

Cox has also added to his squadby securing the registrations of Kieran Tracey and Will Higgins, both from County League side Hardwicke, although they are likely to be given some time with the club’s Development Squad in order to regain match fitness.

U18s hope to continue exceptional week

Tuffley Rovers U18s will be looking to pick-up where they left off, when they return to action on Thursday evening, in a Cheltenham Floodlit Youth League game against Chipping Sodbury Town.

The week started with a historic win, 4-2 away at Torquay United, as Michael Palmer’s squad booked a place in the First Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history. A well taken brace by Alex Roder, a fantastic free-kick from Ayomide Ajibola and a wonderful Rudi McKinnon goal, in a magnificent team performance that saw Rovers’ side knock-out their counterparts from a National League club, having already seen off Bitton, Bath City and Radstock Town in the previous rounds.

Rovers’ goalkeeper Louis Evans was fairly busy in the opening moments but once Roder had scored after 8 minutes, then added his second shortly after, before Ajibola’s free-kick on 23 minutes made it 3-0. A goal early in the second period brought the hosts back into the tie, but McKinnon scored from just inside the Torquay United half to make it 4-1. A few tense moments came when the arrears were reduced to 4-2 on71 minutes, but the young Rovers held out and recorded a famous victory, setting up a tie with Cheltenham Town in the next round.

We have a review of the tie, written by former Chairman Roy ‘Coke’ Craddock, at the end of this notice.

There is now a return to League business and Rovers will welcome Chipping Sobury to Glevum Park for a 7:30pm KO on Thursday evening. The game will be free admission and we’d urge spectators to come along and give the lads your support once again.

A terrific trip to Torquay…

Roy Craddock’s review:

On Monday night I travelled with the Tuffley Rovers FC U18’s to watch them play Torquay United FC U18’s in the FA Youth cup 3rd qualifying round.

Having beaten Bath City FC 4-1 at home in the 1st round, then Radstock Town in the 2nd round, it was a stiff task on a Monday evening in Devon.

In over 50 years involved in football at local level I can’t remember a performance of this magnitude and sheer dominance. From the KO we played football at an outstanding pace, with movement and passing at speed and accuracy.

We scored 3 great goals before HT from Alex (2) and a superb curling free kick from the edge of the penalty box by our No 10 ‘Yomi’.

The 2nd half started with Torquay Utd changing formation and tactics to put us under pressure, allowing their tall centre-forward to pull a goal back after 55 mins.

25mins in to the half Rudi scored a “Beckham” from just inside the opposition half; with the keeper off his line he chipped the ball over him. Dominance restored.

With a late goal to Torquay the game ended 4-2 to the “Rovers” and in to the next round.

Mike Palmer, Kenny, and all the coaches can feel real pride in this team. Let’s hope we can continue a bit longer in the competition.

Ladies lead the way during week of mixed results

The final game of a week that saw eight games played, ended with the most emphatic of scorelines, as the Ladies’ team recovered from their first defeat of the season the previous week (a 4-0 defeat against Ellwood) to record a 17-0 win over Bradley Stoke Vixens, in the Gloucestershire Women’s County League Division 3 fixture on Sunday.

Our calendar for the week saw the U18s kick-off proceedings on Thursday evening and they recorded a historic win – taking the club to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time ever – as they overcame Radstock Town 6-2 in front of a crowd of 109. Rudi McKinnon scored four times and Yomi Ajibola twice, in a superb performance that booked a trip to face Torquay United in the next stage of the competition.

The weekend then arrived, although not for the first team, who saw their Hellenic League, Premier Division fixture against Fairford Town postponed. The Development Squad (Reserves) made the trip to Herefordshire, to face Kington Town, but returned having lost 6-3 despite goals from Nathan Kay, Finley Kent and Yomi Ajibola.

In the Stroud League, there were victories for the Thirds and Fourths. The third team saw off Avonvale United 3-1, in Division 2, with the Fourths playing at Glevum Park and being inspired to come back from 2-0 down, as superb goals from Paul Jones and Jack Webb, coupled with a first goal for Tyerese Douglas, saw them overcome Minchinhampton Reserves. The third game of the day saw the Fifths go down to a 4-0 defeat against Old Richians Reserves.

Sunday saw three games, the first two ending in defeat as the Veterans First XI lost 2-1 to Shipton Oliffe, despite Rob Cook’s goal, shortly after the Reserves had lost 6-1 to Grays Athletic, despite Craig Williams’ goal.

Then came the resounding end to the weekend, as goals from Chloe Taylor (3), Ellie Carrington-Windo (3), Jess Dobbins (3) , Robyn Lee (2), Danielle Proctor (2), Katie Morrissey, Ellen Knight, Imogen Maguire and Laura Howell saw the Ladies’ side record their biggest ever win against the Vixens from Bradley Stoke. A nice way to end the weekend…