IT'S been a tough, but enjoyable, start to life as Fairford Town manager for Gareth Davies.

The former defender returned to the club where he spent eight seasons as a player in the summer, replacing Wootton Bassett-bound Paul Braithwaite.

The visit of the FA Cup to Gloucestershire in August provided plenty of interest while the 2014/15 league season started with a 5-4 victory over Shortwood United.

Fast forward four months and the club find themselves in the lower echelons of the Hellenic Division One West, but very much in touch with the top third of the competitive and tightly-knit division.

"We knew it would be a tough one in the run-up to Christmas," said Davies.

"I am disappointed with our league position because we do have some very good players. When we came in we knew it would take time for things to bed down having put the side together in the summer.

"Against Abingdon in the cup, where we again faced Premier Division opposition, we gave them a real game and have consistently played well against those sorts of sides.

"It's hard when you are down the bottom of the league and everything seems to go against you, but the lads have turned in some very good performances in recent weeks.

"We have been lacking that little bit of grit and determination but we're getting there. If we can add one or two new faces going into the second half of the season then that will strengthen things up.

"We are a young side and we want to keep those lads together because we firmly believe that in two or three years' time they will be a very good side."

The festive period will see Fairford host Cirencester Town Development on Saturday, December 27 before welcoming New College to Cinder Lane seven days later for the opening game of 2015.

"Those games are winnable," said Davies. "We have two home fixtures against teams that also have a core of youngsters.

"Our players know a lot of their players so there should be plenty of spice in those games. The aim is to pick up points over Christmas and give ourselves the chance to kick on going into the New Year."

FORMER Arsenal, Celtic and Wales striker John Hartson is heading to Fairford Town FC on Friday, March 6 2015 as guest speaker at a 'sportsman's dinner'.

Tickets are priced at just £20 including a one-course meal with the event hosted by the popular Phil King.

Please call 07815 579784 or send a tweet to @FairfordTownFC for ticket details.

Only a limited number of tickets are available so please book early to avoid disappointment.