FOOTBALL: Real Fairford re-forge links with Town

11:35pm Monday 12th May 2008

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REAL FAIRFORD, dual Cup-winners in only their first full season, plan to run a second team in the Cirencester & District League next term.

Real played their first matches in September, 2006 when the third team of the financially-troubled Hellenic Premier side Fairford Town was disbanded.

This season, Real's young team has been a breathe of fresh air in Division One, eventually finishing third behind Beeches and South Cerney in the league, before becoming the first club in Cirencester League history to collect both the Arthur Shipway Cup and the Perry Bishop and Chambers Cup.

In the latter game, they comprehensively outplayed league champions Beeches FC to win 6-3.

Now Real Fairford are set to re-forge links with Fairford Town.

"A lot of the bridge-building with Fairford Town has been done by Steve Bennett," said Real Fairford manager Cliff Taylor.

"I enticed Steve (former Supermarine captain) back into football after a break, and he has handled the coaching at Real this season, while I have dealt with team selection and team talks.

"After Christmas, he started playing for Fairford Town, where he is also on the coaching staff.

"After discussions with Fairford Town, the hope is that the two clubs will train together in the new season. These are very exciting times for football in Fairford.

"There would be four or five goalkeeeprs working together and all the defenders could work in a group.

"Inevitably, some of my better players will move up to play for Fairford Town and we are hoping to have enough bodies to produce a second Real Fairford team to play in Division Two of the Ciren League.

"I expect to lose (captain) Pete Williams and Jack Wardle to university, while Tony Williams is moving to Cheltenham.

"Nonetheless, the bulk of this season's Cup-winning squad should be involved again."

This week, Fairford Town, who were relegated from the Hellenic Premier League last season, having finished above only AFC Wallingford and Harrow Hill, will hear whether they have been spared from the drop to Hellenic One West.

With only three clubs eligible for promotion to the Premier Division next season, and Lydney Town already demoted over ground facility issues, John Paget's Fairford Town could be saved.

Real Fairford Presentation Night Awards: Players' Player: Tony Williams. Man of the Match (voted by supporters) Sam Davies. Managers' Player of the Year: Chris Nash.