The Official Lower/Local/Little Team Thread
Discussion
As it says on the title, a thread for those of us who follow one team but have a soft spot for a second team.
Inspired in truth by Alfahorn (Arsenal) who also supports Oadby Town in the United Counties League Division One. I'm also in the same boat, working for and supporting Oldland Abbotonians in the Toolstation Western League Division One.
Feel free to join in and give us a brief outline of your team, why you follow them and how they are doing this season.
Inspired in truth by Alfahorn (Arsenal) who also supports Oadby Town in the United Counties League Division One. I'm also in the same boat, working for and supporting Oldland Abbotonians in the Toolstation Western League Division One.
Feel free to join in and give us a brief outline of your team, why you follow them and how they are doing this season.
I'll go second then.
My second team are Oldland Abbotonians, formed when Oldland merged with, er, Abbotonians. They play at Castle Road in Oldland, a small village between Bristol and Bath, and play in the Toolstation Western League Division One; this is Step Ten in the football pyramid, based on the Premier League being Step One, Championship Step Two etc.
Former Arsenal star David Hillier managed the side four years ago when they won the Les Phillips Cup, combining his role with that of a fireman. Ian Holloway's father Bill has previously been involved off the field with the club too. Happy days as the sun shone but since then, times have been mixed.
The side, nicknamed the O's, currently sit next to bottom of the division after a struggle this season. Having finished fifth last season after a 19-game unbeaten run that included beating the league champions, they were decimated in the summer when the first team manager left for local rivals Bitton. He took the whole team with him except for two loyal lads who remained with Oldland.
Pre-season wasn't great and the club's first ever FA Cup game this season was one to remember but for all the wrong reasons. Drawn away to Bristol Manor Farm, a side from the division above, the O's were 4-0 down after 11 minutes, 7-0 down after 50 minutes and eventually lost 9-3. After forty years of watching football, I've never seen twelve goals in a game before!!
The rest of the season has been hard work. Manager Nigel Lee brought in a whole new team but Ali and Danny, the two lads who remained loyal, both suffered serious leg injuries and are unlikely to play again this campaign. The O's actually put together a five game unbeaten run in October but had the misfortune of facing runaway leaders Bradford Town next game, losing 7-3. Their last win was October 15th and the run of poor results meant that Nigel jacked in the job at Christmas.
New boss Dale Dempsey came in and changed the whole team again. With the bad weather, Dale has only had five games in charge, encompassing two draws and three defeats by the odd goal. Actually with today's game being postponed, the O's have been unbeaten since Jan 25th, their longest unbeaten run of the season!! But now the game are piling up with 15 matches to fit in by the 26th April.
So it's hard work following the O's. I follow Yeovil as well so having seen only four wins in around forty games, I shan't look back on this season fondly. Oldland have used a crazy 51 players so far this season, ah the joys of lower league football. At this rate, I might be number 52!
My second team are Oldland Abbotonians, formed when Oldland merged with, er, Abbotonians. They play at Castle Road in Oldland, a small village between Bristol and Bath, and play in the Toolstation Western League Division One; this is Step Ten in the football pyramid, based on the Premier League being Step One, Championship Step Two etc.
Former Arsenal star David Hillier managed the side four years ago when they won the Les Phillips Cup, combining his role with that of a fireman. Ian Holloway's father Bill has previously been involved off the field with the club too. Happy days as the sun shone but since then, times have been mixed.
The side, nicknamed the O's, currently sit next to bottom of the division after a struggle this season. Having finished fifth last season after a 19-game unbeaten run that included beating the league champions, they were decimated in the summer when the first team manager left for local rivals Bitton. He took the whole team with him except for two loyal lads who remained with Oldland.
Pre-season wasn't great and the club's first ever FA Cup game this season was one to remember but for all the wrong reasons. Drawn away to Bristol Manor Farm, a side from the division above, the O's were 4-0 down after 11 minutes, 7-0 down after 50 minutes and eventually lost 9-3. After forty years of watching football, I've never seen twelve goals in a game before!!
The rest of the season has been hard work. Manager Nigel Lee brought in a whole new team but Ali and Danny, the two lads who remained loyal, both suffered serious leg injuries and are unlikely to play again this campaign. The O's actually put together a five game unbeaten run in October but had the misfortune of facing runaway leaders Bradford Town next game, losing 7-3. Their last win was October 15th and the run of poor results meant that Nigel jacked in the job at Christmas.
New boss Dale Dempsey came in and changed the whole team again. With the bad weather, Dale has only had five games in charge, encompassing two draws and three defeats by the odd goal. Actually with today's game being postponed, the O's have been unbeaten since Jan 25th, their longest unbeaten run of the season!! But now the game are piling up with 15 matches to fit in by the 26th April.
So it's hard work following the O's. I follow Yeovil as well so having seen only four wins in around forty games, I shan't look back on this season fondly. Oldland have used a crazy 51 players so far this season, ah the joys of lower league football. At this rate, I might be number 52!
Alfahorn said:
Guess it's just the three of us then.
2-0 win for us yesterday
Yep, looks like it. Seems the thread will be as well attended as an Oldland home game! 2-0 win for us yesterday
Just had a look at the Oadby website, nice little set up there. I see you are away to Irchester United next weekend, great name that sounds like a comic book team!!
Our game was off yesterday so the long unbeaten run continues (will be 28 days by the time we play again) but that's only one game. Missed the height of the social calendar last night when Paul Salvage, winner of "Stars In Their Eyes" 1992, was on at the club. Ah well.
Alfahorn said:
I couldn't see my info about your results this season on your site? Unless I wasn't looking hard enough.
I wouldn't bother looking, it makes sorry reading http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldlandabbotoniansfo...
Calletrece said:
Acceptable for say, Rushden or Kettering who's clubs have died. Not really for many others.
Or, for example, I know a few people who say they support one club in the Premiership and a Championship (I know of one person who supports Everton and Wigan, for example, which I can understand as Wigan never expected to become who they are, but isn't that the point?).
Or one allegedly 'die hard' supporter of the same club as me, who also follows Wolves and goes to 10+ Wolves game a year. We've met in a competitive fixture in recent times, and it just baffles me.
Edit: I should add it's different to 'having a soft spot' I have many of those, for many clubs but wouldn't pay to watch them.
Ooh, controversial.... Or, for example, I know a few people who say they support one club in the Premiership and a Championship (I know of one person who supports Everton and Wigan, for example, which I can understand as Wigan never expected to become who they are, but isn't that the point?).
Or one allegedly 'die hard' supporter of the same club as me, who also follows Wolves and goes to 10+ Wolves game a year. We've met in a competitive fixture in recent times, and it just baffles me.
Edit: I should add it's different to 'having a soft spot' I have many of those, for many clubs but wouldn't pay to watch them.
Thing is, my two teams are extremely unlikely to meet. One is Step 2, the other Step 10. The higher of the two teams have never been lower than Step 6, the lower side are at their highest level ever. Theoretically they could meet in the FA Cup but Yeovil are exempt to the First Round Proper, Oldland come in at a preliminary round before the First Qualifying, meaning they'd need to win five matches before reaching the same level as Yeovil.
Calletrece said:
What happens if Yeovil return to their natural level and end up meeting though?
I guess I should be a little clearer with what I mean, nothing annoys me more than the question ''but don't you support a Premiership team as well?''. Hmm.
Without going off on a tangent, a divide like you mention I'd have no real issue with, but it's when there's a division between the teams, or they're both professional clubs that it really miffs me.
I suppose it comes with personal experience of our demise. We fell two leagues below where we were, and a local side from the city rose up 4 divisions and we ended up sharing a fair few league battles. A fair few dyed-in-the-wool United 'fans' were aggrieved at the way the club was being ran and ended up watching the other side or willing both on, frequently telling us that our club was dying and they would overtake us and we'd vanish into the ether.
I just found that plain weird, why support a club through so much strife and then jump ship?
Ouch, that first line hurt.... I guess I should be a little clearer with what I mean, nothing annoys me more than the question ''but don't you support a Premiership team as well?''. Hmm.
Without going off on a tangent, a divide like you mention I'd have no real issue with, but it's when there's a division between the teams, or they're both professional clubs that it really miffs me.
I suppose it comes with personal experience of our demise. We fell two leagues below where we were, and a local side from the city rose up 4 divisions and we ended up sharing a fair few league battles. A fair few dyed-in-the-wool United 'fans' were aggrieved at the way the club was being ran and ended up watching the other side or willing both on, frequently telling us that our club was dying and they would overtake us and we'd vanish into the ether.
I just found that plain weird, why support a club through so much strife and then jump ship?
I can't understand why you'd follow Everton AND Wigan although as you say, they were miles apart at one point. Wigan were non-league with Yeovil in the late seventies and the top flight would have been a pipe dream to most who traipsed off to Springfeld Park once a fortnight.
Still trying to work out who you follow.
Calletrece said:
^ You are competely correct, and I withdraw my earlier statement as it was a little too ambiguous and with Premiership clubs/grassroots like Oadby is quite different to what irks me and that I'm getting at.
Apologies, and much respect for spending your time and money on such a club.
Well that's pretty much why, as I say, it's just a person on another forum but they care quite passionately about both, and I think Wigan were Division 3 at the time they started following them as well! I think it is very much unforeseen that they'd eventually be in the top flight, and even Europe!
I think I've given a fair few clues away, so guess away!
Edit: I'll give you a clue, we crossed paths on our respective journies, with one match being quite notable...
I've given you a huge clue to my second team, I named them in the original post.Apologies, and much respect for spending your time and money on such a club.
GloverMart said:
Ouch, that first line hurt....
I can't understand why you'd follow Everton AND Wigan although as you say, they were miles apart at one point. Wigan were non-league with Yeovil in the late seventies and the top flight would have been a pipe dream to most who traipsed off to Springfeld Park once a fortnight.
Still trying to work out who you follow.
I'm just waiting for you to tell me your second team is Weymouth I can't understand why you'd follow Everton AND Wigan although as you say, they were miles apart at one point. Wigan were non-league with Yeovil in the late seventies and the top flight would have been a pipe dream to most who traipsed off to Springfeld Park once a fortnight.
Still trying to work out who you follow.
Well that's pretty much why, as I say, it's just a person on another forum but they care quite passionately about both, and I think Wigan were Division 3 at the time they started following them as well! I think it is very much unforeseen that they'd eventually be in the top flight, and even Europe!
I think I've given a fair few clues away, so guess away!
Edit: I'll give you a clue, we crossed paths on our respective journies, with one match being quite notable...
Edited by Calletrece on Monday 17th February 13:53
I'm stumped for you though.
Calletrece said:
^ I meant the post above me there.
I know Weymouth/Yeovil is the Southern League's answer to Boca - River!
I support a Conference team with Money...And I'll say no more
Ah, got you, that's a great clue. Thanks for clearing that up, I've had the kids rooting through the internet trying to find out who it is you support.I know Weymouth/Yeovil is the Southern League's answer to Boca - River!
I support a Conference team with Money...And I'll say no more
SilverPhoenix said:
Hmmmm. I (wrongly) assumed you meant Portsmouth and Gosport or Havant & Waterlooville!
I lose track of how many clubs have struggled with cash flow!
Anyhow, last night’s game ended in a 1-1 draw. The second leg starts on a level playing field, with no 'away goals' in the FA Trophy.
It should be a great cup tie - 90 mins away from a Wembley final. It's massive for the clubs, players and fans.
Not to mention the financial rewards. £16k for winning the semi and at least £25 from the final. (Runners up = £25k, Winners = £50k)
Huge money for clubs at this level - and not even a days work for Rooney et al...
Good luck to your team tonight....I lose track of how many clubs have struggled with cash flow!
Anyhow, last night’s game ended in a 1-1 draw. The second leg starts on a level playing field, with no 'away goals' in the FA Trophy.
It should be a great cup tie - 90 mins away from a Wembley final. It's massive for the clubs, players and fans.
Not to mention the financial rewards. £16k for winning the semi and at least £25 from the final. (Runners up = £25k, Winners = £50k)
Huge money for clubs at this level - and not even a days work for Rooney et al...
Yeovil won the FA Trophy in 2002. Sadly as Wembley was part way through being rebuilt, we had to make do with a day out at Villa Park for the final against Stevenage Borough.
Incredible match earlier in the fourth round. We were 3-0 down to Doncaster with fifty minutes gone and seemingly disappearing out of the cup when suddenly the whole dynamic of the game changed. We scored, then added another, and another before then taking the lead 4-3. Donny equalised in the last couple of minutes before Terry Skiverton lashed home a winner in stoppage time to make it 5-4.
Winning the Trophy gave so much belief to the team that they were good enough to win something. Following season, we won the Conference with a record breaking season and two years later, reached League One. Happy days!!
Oldland Abbotonians make the half hour journey to Almondsbury UWE today to try to play for the first time since their 3-3 draw with Cheddar.
Almonds are sixth in the table and, like Oldland, were previously managed by former Arsenal star David Hillier who has now moved on to pastures new. For those who know the Bristol roads network, Almondsbury UWE's pitch is right next to the M5 at the M5/M4 interchange, across from the RAC building.
Come on the O's... that's O for Oldland and O for Oadby.
Almonds are sixth in the table and, like Oldland, were previously managed by former Arsenal star David Hillier who has now moved on to pastures new. For those who know the Bristol roads network, Almondsbury UWE's pitch is right next to the M5 at the M5/M4 interchange, across from the RAC building.
Come on the O's... that's O for Oldland and O for Oadby.
Sadly called off because of a waterlogged pitch. That's no game now since January 25th!
Don't know if there's any Boston United fans on here. Had two men sent off inside the first twenty minutes v Harrogate Town today; two more limped off after they'd used their three subs so they finished with seven men. One more dismissal/injury would have seen the game abandoned.
Don't know if there's any Boston United fans on here. Had two men sent off inside the first twenty minutes v Harrogate Town today; two more limped off after they'd used their three subs so they finished with seven men. One more dismissal/injury would have seen the game abandoned.
Game on today at Oldland Abbotonians as they bid to restart their season at home to Chippenham Park.
O'S haven't played since January 25th with five successive games called off due to waterlogged pitches. Chippenham lie in mid-table and had won five games in a row before being trounced 4-0 by runaway leaders so today's game could be an interesting encounter. Pitch passed fit (just) at 9am but I've just been to pick up six bags of sand to lay in the goalmouths and centre circle....
Good luck to Oadby Town and all your respective local teams!!
Forgot to update the thread after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to Chippenham Park. So instead, I've updated it after last night's 2-0 defeat at Welton Rovers.
This is turning into a horror season, well and truly. Last night's loss not helped by a referee that lost the game five minutes in when he missed the assistant's flag and a fracas broke out after that wouldn't have happened if he'd been awake. Ended with ten men too as centre back dismissed for two yellows, both for dissent.
Looks like two teams want to come into the League next season which obviously means two drop down. At the moment, that would be us and we are ELEVEN points behind the team above us with four games in hand on them and we play them on 15th March. Going to be a tight but ultimately disappointing season, methinks.
This is turning into a horror season, well and truly. Last night's loss not helped by a referee that lost the game five minutes in when he missed the assistant's flag and a fracas broke out after that wouldn't have happened if he'd been awake. Ended with ten men too as centre back dismissed for two yellows, both for dissent.
Looks like two teams want to come into the League next season which obviously means two drop down. At the moment, that would be us and we are ELEVEN points behind the team above us with four games in hand on them and we play them on 15th March. Going to be a tight but ultimately disappointing season, methinks.
Quality pictures there Alfa, thanks for sharing! 
Sadly another defeat for the other O's, Oldland today. Four down after twenty minutes, they fought back really well in the second half and had two goals disallowed, hit the woodwork twice and had another cleared off the line. The O's keeper also saved a penalty.
Thankfully I was watching my big team beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Huish Park. Sweeeeeet.
Sadly another defeat for the other O's, Oldland today. Four down after twenty minutes, they fought back really well in the second half and had two goals disallowed, hit the woodwork twice and had another cleared off the line. The O's keeper also saved a penalty.
Thankfully I was watching my big team beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Huish Park. Sweeeeeet.
Shortest away trip of the season today as Oldland Abbotonians visit Keynsham Town, all of 2.8 miles away! An interesting factoid, Keynsham play on a state-of-the-art 4G pitch too!
What's of much more importance is the league table. The bottom three look like this....remembering that at this moment, nobody knows how many sides go down as we don't know which teams are going up and hence if their grounds are up to standard. Most likely is that one or two might be relegated.
20th - Keynsham p 33 pts 27
21st - Oldland p 31 pts 16
22nd - Portishead p 31 pts 11
So a big game today. Portishead look doomed and even the recent intervention of former Wales manager Bobby Gould hasn't seen an upturn in results for the side. He's taken a back seat now but O's will be ruing the two draws they've had with Portishead.
Good luck to Oadby Town and all other small teams represented in this thread.
What's of much more importance is the league table. The bottom three look like this....remembering that at this moment, nobody knows how many sides go down as we don't know which teams are going up and hence if their grounds are up to standard. Most likely is that one or two might be relegated.
20th - Keynsham p 33 pts 27
21st - Oldland p 31 pts 16
22nd - Portishead p 31 pts 11
So a big game today. Portishead look doomed and even the recent intervention of former Wales manager Bobby Gould hasn't seen an upturn in results for the side. He's taken a back seat now but O's will be ruing the two draws they've had with Portishead.
Good luck to Oadby Town and all other small teams represented in this thread.
A win, a win, my kingdom for a win. And so it was!
Poor game between two poor sides but scored right on half time. Bred confidence between the players and they added a second halfway through the second period and another on the final whistle. Result - Keynsham 0 Oldland Abbots 3.
Makes the weekend all that much better. First win in 20 games, first clean sheet since September 15th.
Poor game between two poor sides but scored right on half time. Bred confidence between the players and they added a second halfway through the second period and another on the final whistle. Result - Keynsham 0 Oldland Abbots 3.
Makes the weekend all that much better. First win in 20 games, first clean sheet since September 15th.
With Yeovil hosting Bolton Wanderers this afternoon, I'll be off there today so the O's will have to do without me. Mind you, they seemed to cope okay in the week when they made the long trip to sixth placed Wellington and came away with a point in a 1-1 draw. That's four points from two games now!
Today Oldland entertain 17th placed Westbury United, a winnable game for a confident team but have the O's built that up sufficently yet to cope with a setback of going a goal down? Who knows but they also have a tricky looking away trip to Almondsbury UWE on Tuesday evening too.
Come on the O's of Oldland and Oadby!!
Today Oldland entertain 17th placed Westbury United, a winnable game for a confident team but have the O's built that up sufficently yet to cope with a setback of going a goal down? Who knows but they also have a tricky looking away trip to Almondsbury UWE on Tuesday evening too.
Come on the O's of Oldland and Oadby!!
Alfahorn said:
Oadby 2 Rushden & Higham 2
Well, that wasn't in the script. 156 people attended today's game expecting The Poachers to secure 3 points as we edge ever closer to promotion.
The home support were stunned after just 3 minutes when R&H took the lead with a shot from distance following a free kick. Oadby struggled to find form in the first half, however equalised in the 40 minute with a diving header from close range by Cameron Powell. Oadby took the lead in the second half during our best spell of the game with a fantastic curling shot from the edge of the box by Jon Stevenson.
Oadby controlled the game until late on when a cross in the box found the R&H No9 unmarked in the box to head home. In truth R&H deserved their point, however for Oadby it's another point closer to promotion.
Bloody hell, Alfa, that was a match report... Well, that wasn't in the script. 156 people attended today's game expecting The Poachers to secure 3 points as we edge ever closer to promotion.
The home support were stunned after just 3 minutes when R&H took the lead with a shot from distance following a free kick. Oadby struggled to find form in the first half, however equalised in the 40 minute with a diving header from close range by Cameron Powell. Oadby took the lead in the second half during our best spell of the game with a fantastic curling shot from the edge of the box by Jon Stevenson.
Oadby controlled the game until late on when a cross in the box found the R&H No9 unmarked in the box to head home. In truth R&H deserved their point, however for Oadby it's another point closer to promotion.
Edited by Alfahorn on Saturday 22 March 18:02
Oldland lost 1-2 at home to Westbury United. Didn't go as was at YTFC v BWFC but heard there was a bad ligament injury to an opponent that required the services of the paramedics so all in all, a defeat pales in importance to some poor sod waiting in hospital tonight.
Alfahorn said:
OADBY TOWN PROMOTED!
Travelled away today to Peterborough Sports, excellent day out, a 4-1 win and two worldy goals including a Rooneyesque goal from the half way line. Had a superb day out and quite a few travelled from Oadby. Champagne was popped on the terraces and the pitch at the end of the game.
Congratulations, mate, no better feeling than a promotion, even if it comes as no real surprise!! Travelled away today to Peterborough Sports, excellent day out, a 4-1 win and two worldy goals including a Rooneyesque goal from the half way line. Had a superb day out and quite a few travelled from Oadby. Champagne was popped on the terraces and the pitch at the end of the game.
Some great games today in non-league. Chorley winning 13-1 against Droylesden, a 6-4 result in Oldland's division today so I feel a little cheated to have seen a 0-0 draw! It's another point towards safety and fingers crossed, there may be nobody getting relegated this season so all might be pointless anyway!!
Love that kit...
You're 100% right about the passion and it's great to see. All these blokes have got full time jobs yet still have time to go down the club and work/play for the club they love. Must admit we haven't got many players left now that started the season but two or three of them have stayed and any success in the future will taste that much sweeter to them, that's for sure.
You're 100% right about the passion and it's great to see. All these blokes have got full time jobs yet still have time to go down the club and work/play for the club they love. Must admit we haven't got many players left now that started the season but two or three of them have stayed and any success in the future will taste that much sweeter to them, that's for sure.
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