Southmead Athletics Football Club
(AFC) 1st Team

Early in 2005 a few local footballers had got their heads together and thought it was about time all the local Saturday footballing talent started to play for a side based in their local community, Southmead. The team that was going to head this local football revival was going to be Southmead Athletic F.C. The Athletic had been in decline for a few years and had gone from a two team club to one team. By the end of 2005 season, they had been relegated to Division 3 of the Suburban League. So all involved with the old set up got together with the new boys and sorted out a new structure for the club. The new committee was going to be:

We had a good start to pre-season training with some 20-25 players turning up. We also had a good responce when we tried to get some much needed sponsorship (thank you again!):

As for the season ahead, the priority was promotion and if possible, to have some good cup runs. With the actual squad we put together, most of which were playing min Prem Suburban Standard, we were not going to get many pats on the back for just winning our league. So with this in mind we put in some big performaces against higher opposition in the two cup comps we were in.

Another priority was to get our 2nd team promoted from Div 5. Well most, if not all the season the 1st team were top of their league and went on to win it without losing a game in all competitions. Yes, this meant a G.F.A. Intermediate Cup win at Oaklands Park Almondsbury, and the Norman Goulding Cup win at Yate Town. A treble season in the first year of the new committee and set up.

Our 2nd team challenged for top spot all year and managed to finish 3rd, but may still get promotion to Div 4 if things go our way.

With the prospect of the new facilities going up at Pen Park (our old ground) and if we keep and add to the squad of players we already have, the future has not looked as good for Southmead Football for a long time, and it's nice to be able to do this with some loyal athletic stalwarts still on board, such as Dave Thomas, who took care of all half time drinks and oranges and hardly missed a game. And Alan Piper who is holding up our end in the development of the new ground along with Paul Holloway. And last, but not least, Alan and Maggie Sharp who have to put up with us all weekend and put on some lovely grub for us and all visiting sides. Without the use of their bus, I sometimes wonder how half the side would get to games. If I've missed anybody out of this, I am truely sorry and I'm sure you'll let me know. Its just been a pleasure to be involved with some success culminating from the Mead and done by true Meaders, as one of the Treble chance Committee once said when we were starting to win things with them, Onwards and Upwards!

P.S. Well done The Treb for winning the Prem sunday District League against the Great lebeq who have won it so many times.