Big game for U18s, as FA Youth Cup campaign looms

Tuffley Rovers U18s will play in one of their most prestigious games of the season as they welcome Bath City to Glevum Park on Thursday, 24 September 2020 (KO at 7:45pm).

A place in the Second Qualifying Round, at home to either Bridgwater Town or Radstock Town, awaits the winners of the tie and Rovers will be hoping to secure a famous win after overcoming Bitton AFC in the previous round.

Admission will be for up to 300 spectators (although we don’t anticipate that number!), on a first come, first served basis. All spectators are asked to familiarise themselves with our Covid guidance before attending Glevum Park and Test & Trace details will be collected. In line with FA guidance, the club has registered with the NHS Covid 19 App, so smartphone users can more swiftly sign-in and access the ground. Alternatively, we would ask those attending and not using the App to bring their details (name and contact number) on a slip of paper.

A online copy of the match-day programme can be downloaded from this website: Match-day programme v Bath City (FA Youth Cup). Printed copies can be made available upon request at the game (subject to availability).

We look forward to another great evening at Glevum Park. Please help us – and our volunteers – to make the environment as safe as possible. #uptherovers

 

The Sunday Summary

It was a difficult week for Tuffley Rovers, but it ended on a high, as the Ladies’ team opened their Gloucestershire Women’s County League campaign with an emphatic 10-3 win at Southmead Community Sports on Sunday afternoon.

The first game of the week saw the First XI travel to play Brimscombe & Thrupp and a bad evening saw Rich Cox’s side slip to a 6-0 defeat, with the hosts scoring three times in each half without reply. Rovers’ day had started badly, with Luke Merchant ruled out and then a succession of goalkeepers unavailable, meaning outfield player Liam Wright ended up in goal.

After that difficult midweek game, it might be reasonable to assume our Hellenic League side would be looking forward to an FA Vase tie against lower division opposition, but another below par performance at Clanfield 85 FC saw the hosts record a 2-0 win that means Rovers have been dumped out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle for a second successive season.

We had another two games at Glevum Park over the weekend, with the Fourths and Fifths both hosting games, but both of those fixtures were to end in disappointment.

The Fourths conceded shortly before half-time against Stonehouse Town and as they started to chase for an equaliser, the visitors picked them off and eventually ran away with a 5-0 win, which was precisely the same scoreline in Gloster Rovers’ favour when the Fifths had entertained them in an earlier kick-off.

Thankfully, the third team did record a victory, with Alex Roder the star, as he recorded a hat-trick in his first senior performance, to take the man-of-the-match award for Dave Cornock and Luke Whittam’s side, who took all three points at Longford.

They say to save the best for last and that was the case for this week, as the Ladies’ result added some positivity amidst a difficult week! Goals from Ellie Windo, Holly Kay (2), Ellen Knight, Jess Dobbins (2), an OG, Robyn Lee, Danielle Prictor and Jayne Papps were just the fillip the club needed after a difficult few days and ahead of another important week of fixtures.

The Sunday Summary is back!

Our weekly review of the week’s action is back for the start of the 2020/21 playing season although it would be easy to hide it, given the results over the weekend!

The only midweek fixture was the highlight of the week, with the U18s recording a fantastic 6-3 FA Youth Cup win, away at Bitton AFC on Thursday evening. A high quality display of football from Mike Palmer’s side saw Rudi McKinnon net a hat-trick and James Sunley a brace, alongside a debut goal from Alex Roder, and although the sending-off of another debutant, goalkeeper Louis Evans, provided a disappointing end to the evening, there was nothing to take the shine off the evening’s entertainment.

Over the weekend there were games for all three Stroud League sides, with two of the games held at Glevum Park on Saturday afternoon, but defeats for the Thirds (4-1 against Upton St. Leonards Reserves), for whom Josh Webb scored the only goal, and Fourths (3-0 at Longlevens) followed and the only competitive point came for the Fifths, who drew 1-1 against Randwick Reserves. Another Josh (Pitt) had given Will Cronshaw’s side the lead, but Randwick found an equaliser to secure a point.

In the day’s Uhlsport Hellenic League fixture, the first team lost 1-0 at Virginia Water, with an 80th minute goal enough to beat Rich Cox’s side. A match report is available here.

This week will see the First XI making the short trip to face Brimscombe & Thrupp (7:45pm on Wednesday evening) ahead of scheduled games for all teams, save for the Development Squad, due at the weekend.

Here is hoping for better fortunes to report next Sunday….

U18s trials – coming soon…

Despite the uncertainty as to when the 2020/21 season will start, Our U18s will be holding an open training session on Wednesday, 8 July 2020 starting at 7:30pm.

In order to ensure social distancing requirements are met, anyone interested in joining the session should book a place in advance, so that our excellent coaches can plan around numbers. We welcome new and existing players who will be eligible for U18s football during the 2020/21 season.

To book your place, e-mail to Development@tuffleyroversfc.co.uk, asap. Full details of the sessions (including the venue in Gloucester) will be sent once players are booked in.

New Football Chair appointed

Tuffley Rovers have a new Football Chair, with the appointment of Dan Boon, as Interim Chair, following the decision of the previous incumbent, Neil Spiller, to step down from the role two weeks ago.

Spiller, who will remain at the club, had been holding a dual responsibility as Chairman and Football Secretary, but decided to call time on one of those roles, which created a vacancy and this has been filled, at least in the short-term, by 36-year-old Boon, who has been involved with the club since 2011.

The new Chair will now work alongside his predecessor, as well as Ken Blackburn, the Head of Football Development, as they look to shape the future of the club, with any ambitions for success undented by the recent change in leadership.

“The club has been moving in the right direction for some time, and so I’d like to pick up where Neil has left off, but working with him and the rest of the committee to put Tuffley Rovers in a position where we can offer facilities and a club culture that we can be proud of”, confirmed Boon.

“We need to look at creating an environment where all of our teams, coaches, spectators and anyone connected to the club enjoy their football, whilst we also become as competitive as possible, challenging for silverware in as many competitions as possible”, he added. “However, we also need to focus on player development and retention, so individuals can see a pathway to whichever level they aspire to play at, as well as establishing a much stronger community presence, creating partnerships with the local community and then with more organisations across Gloucester.”

The outgoing Chair, Spiller, was quick to welcome the appointment.

 “I am delighted Dan, who is someone who has become increasingly involved in the club, has stepped up to take on this role”, he said. “I think we’ve made great progress in recent years, but I felt that we need to spread the load by stepping back from some of the responsibilities that come with being the Chairman”, he confirmed. “With Ken Blackburn’s role now clearly established, I thought it was a good time to hand over the reins and Dan is, in my view, the right person to take this forward.”

With plans to start the 2020/21 season still very much up in the air, Boon might have to wait a while for his first competitive football as Chairman, with none of the nine sides he’ll now lead yet clear on when their respective campaigns will start.

 

Sunday Summary – 14th & 15th September….

Once again, this Sunday Summary is a look back at the past seven days and what a week it was….goals, goals, goals!!

The week started with a flurry of goals in a first team fixture, as Mark Pritchett’s side won their Banbury Litho Floodlit Cup tie 6-1 against Hellenic League, Division One (West) side Thornbury Town. Ross Langworthy and Jack Beardsell both had a brace within 24 minutes, before second half-goals from Pritchett and seventeen-year-old Niall Priday saw us to a comfortable win.

On Thursday, it felt a little like deja vu! Priday scored again (three times, in fact!) in a thumping 6-1 win for the U18s over Cinderford Town. The other goals came courtesy of Kai Jordan, Kyle Rogers and a sumptuous Charlie Holliday free-kick. A great start to the league season for our remodelled U18s squad.

The weekend’s action started with four games on Saturday and it was a generally disappointing day for the club. The Reserves’ good run came to an end, as Cam Bulldogs left Glevum Park with all three points, courtesy of a 3-2 win, after Mike Palmer’s squad had led 2-1 at the interval, thanks to goals from Priday (again!!) and a first Rovers goal for Xander Jones. That wasn’t the only disappointing result, as the Fourths lost 4-0, at home to North Nibley, and the Fifths succumbed to a 6-0 reverse at Chalford 3rds. The bright spot for Saturday came from the Thirds, who won 3-2 at home to Tibberton United – continuing their unbeaten start to the season – thanks to goals from Miracle Osabuohien, Alfie Fortey and Cory Anderson.

If Saturday was a little disappointing, Sunday was altogether different and full of goals!

The opening game on Sunday saw a first win for our new Veterans Reserves side, with Dave Cornock scoring four times in a 5-3 win over Grays Athletic. Debutant Chris Gooch got the other goal, as Rob Wordley’s side recovered from 3-1 down, with less than fifteen minutes remaining!

Chloe Taylor   Holly Kay

Our final game of the week/weekend saw a moment of history, with a first ever open-aged Women’s team playing under the Rovers banner…and what a way to start! The newest of all the Rovers teams travelled to Winchcombe Town and won 14-0 in a superb performance. Chloe Taylor and Holly Kay scored five apiece, whilst Jayne Papps got a brace, to go with goals from Jade Papps and Lizzie Barstow in a fantastic opening day victory. If that wasn’t a good way to end a goal-filled week, albeit one with mixed results, what more could you want? #uptherovers

 

Sunday Summary – 7th & 8th September 2019…or that was the week that was!

Various commitments have meant that we haven’t posted our usual summary over the past two weekends, so it seems right to spend a little time looking back at the last week, rather than simply confining this update to the weekend alone. Not a hugely successful week, but quite a few positives amidst all the positives!

A win, at last, for the first team on Tuesday evening, as a Ross Langworthy brace and a goal from Brett James proved enough to secure a 3-2 win over Shrivenham at Barrington Park. The game seemed to be going comfortably in Rovers’ favour, but a late Antonio Gerrish goal made it 3-2 and by the time the official’s whistle sounded, we were probably glad the game was over!

The Reserves then provided another positive on Wednesday evening, as the young squad held one of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League title favourites, Chalford, to a 0-0 draw. Brad Newman made a couple of great saves, whilst debutant Xander Jones went close to scoring a winner.

Unfortunately, the U18s couldn’t keep the positive streak going and lost their FA Youth Cup tie 3-1. The hosts had led 2-0 but a late, late Niall Priday goal gave Rovers hope, before Cinderford Town scored in the dying seconds of the game.

When Saturday came, we had a real mixed bag of performances. The worst result of the day saw the Fifths thumped 5-0 by Minchinhampton Reserves, in Stroud League Division Five, although Will Cronshaw’s young team competed well after trailing 4-0 at half-time.

There were wins for the Fourths (Matt Stevens and Jake Anderson with the goals in a 2-1 victory at Alkerton Rangers) and the Reserves, with Ash Bird getting a GNSL hat-trick as Mike Palmer’s side triumphed 6-0 away at Taverners.

The other two Saturday games ended in a draw. Dan Boon’s third team led through Alfie Fortey’s first-half goal, before a late equaliser for hosts Wickwar Wanderers, but the real drama was at Glevum Park. The first team went 3-1 down after 81 minutes and their hopes of a result against Windsor looked dashed, until Tyreece Briscoe and Langworthy managed to conjure up goals in the 84th and 97th minute to make it 3-3.

With the Ladies’ game lost from Sunday’s schedule, after opponents Cribbs withdraw from the league, there was only one game on Sunday and it ended in a convincing win for Mark Patterson’s Veterans’ side, who beat Cheltenham Civil Service 4-1 at All Saints Academy.

New beginnings, as Rovers turn their attention to clearing pathway for youth

Tuffley Rovers ended the 2018/19 season with their Uhlsport Hellenic League, Premier Division status secured for a fifth consecutive season, and with much of their first team squad indicating an intention to return in 2019/20, the club’s attention has turned to improving the pathway from their youth section to first team football.

“Although we’ve seen some really positive developments over the past few seasons, I’ve had a real sense that our first team has become increasingly separated, in terms of playing quality, from the rest of our squads”, said Chairman/Secretary Neil Spiller. “With that in mind, last season I asked Ken Blackburn to join the club, bringing with him a wealth of experience, both of the game in general, but also what it takes to ensure that player development becomes an integral part of a club’s plans.”

Ken Blackburn

A year after Blackburn’s appoint as Head of Football Development, Rovers are now beginning to transform the way in which their squads will operate, with a view to creating a very clear pathway for players to develop, most notably with the way in which Under 18s and reserve teams will operate.

“Despite our second team achieving a solid league position last season, I felt that we needed to shift the balance from one focused on results, to one where player development was our paramount concern”, Spiller confirmed.

Blackburn took the opportunity offered by Spiller 12 months ago and still feels he has a lot to contribute to local football.

“Having been with Gloucester city for 19 years, and having managed teams in over 700 games I felt I still had something to offer, and when Neil approached with the role he had in mind for me I was more than happy to come on board, and hopefully give them the benefit of my experience”, he confirmed.

With the departure of last season’s Reserves’ management team, Blackburn took the opportunity to accelerate changes, resulting in the appointment of a new Head Coach, alongside the Under 18s migrating from the control of the youth section, so that their affairs will be managed by the senior section.

The man charged with leading the coaching team will be former Cardiff City and Wales U19s player, Mike Palmer, who joins Rovers after spells coaching at Gloucester City and most recently at Cheltenham Town, an appointment Blackburn is delighted with.

Mike Palmer

“The backbone of any successful club is its youth and reserve teams, and with Tuffley Rovers already having a well-established youth section, we felt the need for the Under 18s to come under the main club umbrella helped create a clear pathway through to the first team”, he mused. “This will be a development squad incorporating both the Reserves and Under 18s players, so with this in mind I was able to bring some new coaches to the club, whom have the same mindset as what we are trying to achieve, developing young players. They are focused on improving players, rather than adding to their personal CV.”

“Mike is someone who I worked with at Gloucester City and he’s gone on to work in the USA and at Cheltenham Town’s Academy, where he coached a successful U15s squad. I think he’s the perfect fit, as we try to bring the Reserves and Under 18s together, with the view to using them as a development squad in the future. Our first step is to stop referring to the team as our ‘Reserves’ and focus on the young group as a Development Squad”, Blackburn added.

Palmer, who is UEFA B qualified, makes no secret of his ambition to be successful in the adult game, with an eye on managing at first team level, but he regards that as a long-term goal and is, for now, focused on continuing his success in developing young players.

“I want to offer something different to Tuffley Rovers, creating a squad that will be full of energy, playing an exciting brand of football. If I can offer a different style of coaching that will not only develop the group of players I’ll start working with, but help build better relationships with those coming through our youth section”, he confirmed. “My focus is 100% on developing the best players we can, so that they can become candidates for the first team.”

Palmer will be assisted in managing the Development Squad by Ash Evanson, who is also a UEFA B qualified coach with another impressive CV, having spent ten years coaching at clubs including Gloucester City, Cheltenham Town and Bristol Rovers. He got to know Palmer whilst they were both at Gloucester City and didn’t hesitate in taking the opportunity to link up with him again.

“I have known Mike since our time under Ken Blackburn at Gloucester City and when he offered me the chance to get involved at Tuffley, I saw it as a great opportunity to get involved in the adult game, although we want to promote youth and create a platform for players to develop at senior level”, Evanson confirmed. “Mike and I share a passion for possession based football, played at a high intensity and want our performances to be exciting to watch.”

It was the draw of working with Palmer and Blackburn that ultimately proved decisive for Evanson.

“Once I sat down with Mike and Ken, examining the finer detail of their plans, it was an easy decision to make and I am really looking forward to the challenge of developing young players, with a view to pushing them towards the first team, helping to create a legacy and future success for Tuffley Rovers.”

It isn’t all new faces at Rovers, though, with the new appointments focusing on management of the club’s Gloucestershire Northern Senior League squad, where they will be supported by current Under 18s manager, Jamie Hyett, with a view to creating a continuity between the two development sides that will support players in making the transition to adult football. Hyett, who will work with both teams, retains Chris Ravenhill to work alongside him, but they will be joined by Sam Hill, a Rovers first team player who is looking to move into coaching, alongside his first team commitments. All the changes have filled Hyett with enthusiasm ahead of a first season in the Gloucestershire Floodlit Youth League, after a move across from the Midland Floodlit Youth League.

Jamie Hyett

“I have to confess that this is the most excited I’ve been going into a new season”, enthused Hyett. “The chance to work with a new group of coaches is great for me personally, but we have a new group of players and I can’t wait to the fantastic squad we’ve assembled in action.”

Hill, who made 31 appearances for the club in the last Hellenic League season, is equally enthusiastic at the opportunity to start on his new role.

Sam Hill

“I personally can’t wait to get the season started. I helped with the Under 18s two years ago, but this is a different beast!”, he added. “We ooze professionalism this year and its exciting to be surrounded by so many motivated coaches and players. I intend to complete my Level 2 this year and sharpen up my non-league experience with a bit of quality coaching. A lot of our squad have been released from clubs and I know how that feels, so I want to help produce the future of non-league football.”

There is one further addition to the coaching set-up, with Craig Darkin joining as a goalkeeping coach and he is another new recruit who demonstrates the value of Blackburn’s appointment, having previously worked with him at City, too.

Blackburn was keen to reflect on Tuffley Rovers’ own continuing develop, as they have been confirmed as Gloucestershire County Women’s League participants for the first time, following the League AGM last week.

“We have also started a new women’s team, playing at the ground on Sunday afternoons, which has already attracted players to what has become one of the fastest growing sports. With the Women’s World Cup now underway this will potentially create even more interest in the game. I would like for Tuffley Rovers to be more than just a football club, but where people of all abilities can come and use the facilities, in a nice friendly safe atmosphere.”