ALCESTER TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Club Officials
Chairman Steve McAdam 07392 846290 srmcadam@sky.com
Finance Director & Vice Chairman
Ian Chester 07881 508522 ianchesteri@btinternet.com
Fundraising Officer
Gary Williams 07766 664289 garywilliams1@talktalk.net
Head of Junior Football & Child Welfare Officer
Simon McAdam 07565 526035 simonjmcadam@sky.com
Adult Club Secretary Phil Tattersall 07703 020499 tatsphil58webheath@gmail.com
Junior Club Secretary
Marcia Cox 07968 387831 marciaccox22@gmail.com
Marketing & Communications Officer
Dan Archer 07903 418411 dan_archer@hotmail.co.uk
Facilities & Groundcare Manager
Paul Dipple 07800 966956 dipple09@hotmail.com
Football Development Officer
Aaron Blackwood 07581 729008 a.blackwood@perfect-personnel.com
Life President
Jim Kenyon 07711 240732 jim.kenyon@jakwater.co.uk
Manager Aaron Blackwood
Ast. Manager Tony Round
Head Coach Ryan Faulkner
Coach Colin Tomlinson
Coach Ryan Dipple
Physio
Georgia Armond
Equipment Manager David Kilgallen
At Alcester Town FC, we strive to reduce our footprint on both our facilities and the surrounding community. We kindly request that visitors utilize the designated bins for waste disposal while on our premises.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
NEXT HOME GAME
Tuesday Nov 4th KO 19:45 Wiseman Lighting (UHL) Floodlit Cup
Mr Chairman
WELCOME
Welcome Back to Stratford Road
Good afternoon everyone, and a very warm welcome back to Stratford Road for another important week of football here at Alcester Town.
Firstly, a special welcome to our visitors today, Thame United Reserves, and also to UDA Gloucester Development, who make the trip here on Tuesday evening for our Floodlit Cup tie. We hope both sets of players, staff, and supporters enjoy their time with us and the hospitality we’re proud to offer.
Since our last home game, it’s been another busy spell for the lads. We came away from Clanfield on the wrong end of a 3–2 scoreline in a game that swung on a few costly moments. Despite that setback, the response on Tuesday night at Cradley Town was exactly what we wanted to see, disciplined, determined, and full of character. A clean sheet and a stunning strike from Will Skelton were enough to send us through in the County Cup and remind everyone what this team is capable of when we’re focused and together.
Those two results sum up the journey we’re on. There will always be bumps along the way, but the key is how we react and this group continues to show the right attitude and resilience every time they step on the pitch.
As we turn our attention to today’s league fixture and Tuesday’s cup tie under the lights, the message is simple: keep building. We’ve shown we can compete with anyone in this league, but consistency is what turns good performances into a successful season.
Off the pitch, the support we’ve had home and away has been fantastic. Seeing more and more faces at Stratford Road and hearing the noise grow each week makes a real difference to the players. My thanks also go to everyone working tirelessly behind the scenes from the committee and volunteers to those keeping the ground and facilities looking their best. Your efforts continue to drive this club forward.
Let’s get behind the lads again today and on Tuesday night, create another great atmosphere here at Stratford Road, and hopefully celebrate more positive results together.
Enjoy the game and thank you as always for your continued support.
Steve McAdam
Aaron Blackwood
THE GAFFER
Good afternoon all and welcome back to Stratford Road,
It’s great to be back on home soil again as we prepare for another busy week of fixtures, starting with Thame United Reserves this Saturday in the Hellenic League, followed by our first home game under the lights against UDA Gloucester Development on Tuesday in the Floodlit Cup.
A warm welcome to our visitors, their staff, and travelling supporters - we hope you enjoy your time at Stratford Road.
Last weekend saw us face Clanfield 85 away in the league. We started brightly, with Will Skelton giving us the lead with a composed finish from close range, but a few costly errors allowed Clanfield to turn the game around and head into half-time 3–1 ahead. The lads showed real character in the second half, with Jack Cole’s brilliant solo effort bringing us back to 3–2. Despite our late push, we finished down to nine men and had to settle for defeat.
We bounced back impressively on Tuesday under the floodlights at Cradley Town in the Birmingham County Cup. It was a cagey first half, but the lads came out with intent after the break. A moment of brilliance from Will Skelton, finishing Aaron Xavier’s free kick with a sublime half-volley, proved decisive. Securing a 1–0 win and progressing to the next round was a great reward for everyone’s effort.
These two games encapsulate what this season is about, learning from setbacks and responding with resilience and focus. The squad has shown depth, character, and hunger across all competitions, and it’s that mentality that will continue to drive us forward.
Looking ahead, Thame United Reserves and UDA Gloucester Development will provide different challenges. Both games are opportunities to build momentum, develop consistency in performance, and keep taking steps forward. The commitment, work rate, and togetherness the lads have shown recently will be crucial if we want to keep getting positive results.
Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who supports the team whether on a matchday, behind the scenes, or helping create a great atmosphere at Stratford Road. It makes a huge difference to the players and the club as a whole.
Let’s get behind the boys again this weekend and Tuesday evening enjoy the games, and up The Romans!
CLUB HISTORY
The History of Alcester Town Football Club has its roots in the Town's History and its Schools. Alcester Old Boys Football Club was formed after the First World War by pupils of Alcester Grammar School.
Shortly after this, in 1927, the Club became Alcester Juniors and joined the Stratford League becoming Champions of the first Division in their first season. The team played on a pitch by the Spittle Brook and later at the bottom of Bleachfield Street by the river, on what was known locally as the 'Soccer Beds.'
Sometime later in the 1950's the Club became Alcester Town Football Club, sharing their Stratford Road Ground with a Sunday side - 'The Black Horse'. They won a number of Cups, with their finest result being the 1-0 defeat of Alvechurch in the Birmingham Cup.
Alcester Town's most successful years came at the tail end of the 80's and the start of the 90's. In 1989/90 Alcester finished runner-up in the Midland Combination Division Two, this meant promotion to Midland Combination Division One.
The following season, 1990/91, Alcester went on to finish champions of the Midland Combination Division One and secured a place in the Midland Combination Premier for the very first time in Alcester Town's history. Alcester managed two seasons in the Midlands Leagues top division, in the first year finishing a respectable 13th from 21 sides competing. Second season Alcester finished rock bottom of a league hosting twenty sides.
Unfortunately the success of Alcester Town led to its downfall. Despite attempts to move to a new ground the Club were not able to improve their Stratford Road facilities. They needed to build a new covered stand to house 200 people to remain in the Midland Combination and so in 1993, due to lack of funds for the improvements the Club folded. However, one bright moment for Alcester Town was the success of Paul West who was transferred to Port Vale Football Club for £8,000 in January 1991. As part of the deal, Alcester Town hosted Port Vale Football Club in a friendly ahead of the 1991/92 season. Alcester were captained by Colin Saunders, whilst Port Vale had Neil Aspin, Martin Foyle and Trevor Wood in their squad to name just a few.
Was it just a coincidence that at the same time that Alcester Town was disbanded, Alcester Athletic competed successfully in the Mid Warwickshire, Central Warwickshire, Evesham Ambassador and Mercian Junior Festival Leagues and created sides form Under 6's to Under 16's. In September 2007, Alcester Town formed a new adult side playing in the Stratford Alliance - Cutler Division. In their 1st season they finished 4th in the league and got to their 1st Cup Final. So Football is well and truly back on the map in Alcester. In June 2008, Alcester Town merged with Alcester 2000 to create one of the largest youth organisations in the area. With twenty teams from under 6's to Adults and Veterans and girls and boys teams and over 200 members. The club have won several trophies over the last twelve years, including league championships, many Cup successes together with league sportsmanship awards.
The 2012/13 season saw Alcester Town once again join the Midland Combination Leagues, finishing 5th in the Midland Combination Division Two. The 2014/15 season saw a restructure of the Midlands League's and the then Midland Combination Division Two changed to Division Three. Despite leading the race for the title for much of the season, a late collapse saw Alcester finish 3rd.
Promotion to the Midland Football League Division to 2 was finally secured in 2019 and the team remained in the MFL until 2024-25 season where a sideways move to the Hereford Premier League was made. The team went unbeaten in the league throughout the 24-25 season earning promotion to Step 6.
Club History
THE VISITORS
Thame United were formed in 1883 making it one of Oxfordshire’s oldest clubs. The early years were spent in various Oxfordshire Leagues and in 1906, 1909 and 1910 Thame won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup and the Senior League in 1907,1908, 1910, 1930 and 1931. A switch to the Hellenic League then brought further success culminating in the Hellenic League title in 1961-62 and 1969-70, as well as being runners up in 1960-61, 1976-77 and 1980-81. The Oxfordshire Senior Cup was won in both 1976 and 1981 but a poor spell in the mid-eighties preceded a crossing of the pyramid in 1988-89 to join the South Midlands League. The Club finished runners up in both 1988-89 and 1989-90 before eventually winning the title in 1990-91.
Thame received the green light to join the Diadora League in 1991/92. 1994-95 saw the Club win the Division 2 Championship with 93 points - an 11 point margin. In 1995/96 the Club reached the 3rd Round Qualifying in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy. In the league we finished a creditable 13th in our first ever season in the Isthmian League Division One. Andy Sinnott was appointed first team manager in June 1997 and, with a dramatically reduced operating budget, the side were relegated into Ryman Division Two. The Club bounced straight back into Ryman Division One and reached the semi- finals of the FA Vase.
2000/2001 season the team lead the way for most of the season, putting together a club record of 12 consecutive league wins but a slump in form in the latter part of the season resulted in a 5th place finish. A mid-table finish followed in 2001/2002 season but the Oxfordshire Senior Cup was retained. Mark West was appointed player/manager when Andy left United during the Summer of 2003. in October 2003 the Club reached the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history, before being beaten 1-2 by Conference side Farnborough Town. After a mid-table finish the Club moved to the newly formed Southern League, Division 1 West. In October 2004 the Club again reached the FA Cup 4th qualifying round and finished the season 11th in the league. Mark West left to join Slough Town and defender Tony Joyce was appointed player manager.
By July 2005 the Club were in financial trouble and, following a visit from Bailiffs acting on behalf of HMRC, the landlord enforced a clause in the tenancy agreement and evicted the club from Windmill Road. However, shortly thereafter Thame United reached a formal agreement with the new owners of Windmill Road that secured £1.7 million to enable a new facility to be constructed, on Church farm on the edge of the town Whilst the Club progressed procurement of the new site and the necessary planning permission, a ground share agreement was reached with neighbours Aylesbury United.
With the side struggling at the foot of the Southern League Division 1 West, Tony Joyce resigned in December 2005, with a new joint managerial partnership of Richard Searl and Alan Thorne appointed. Relegation to the Hellenic League was confirmed later in the season. A ground share agreement was reached with AFC Wallingford for the 2006/07 season. Mark West returned to the Club mid-way through the season but could not save the Club from relegation to the Hellenic League Division 1 East.
The 2007/08 season provided greater stability for the Club, with Mark West and new assistant, Frank Thompson, looking after first team affairs. 2009/10 saw the Club win the Division 1 East title by six points and reclaim their place in the Premier Division.
The 2010/11 season was the most significant in the Club’s recent history. With work on a new £3.1m ground at Meadow View Park commencing in March 2010, United returned to Thame at the ASM Stadium on 11 December 2010, just over five years after their enforced eviction from the town. Boasting eight pitches, a floodlit 3G training pitch and 8000 sq ft clubhouse, United now have one of the best sporting facilities in the County. The official opening against Oxford United on 18th January 2011 set a record crowd of 1,382.
Season 2016-17 was one of the most successful in the recent history of the Club. Going the whole league season without losing at home, United were crowned Hellenic League Premier Division Champions. United were duly promoted to the Southern Football League East Division, returning after a spell of twelve years
In the first season back at Step 4. In 2018/19 United secured an 8th place finish in the new Division 1 Central with the side occupying a mid-table position when the 2019/20 season was curtailed due to the pandemic.
The 2020/21 season was curtailed due to the pandemic, with only seven league matches completed before the league was again halted. Prior to the 2021/22 significant enhancements were completed to Meadow View Park, including a new full-size 3G training pitch, together with associated organisational changes. Last season, after a slow start, United finished eighth in Division One Central, and until the final month of the season were within touching distance of a play-off place.
2022/2023 the team struggled towards the bottom of the table but an unbeaten run in April saw the team win all matches and climb to a respectable 12 in the table. Whilst a successful run in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup rounded off the season being crowned champions beating Oxford city in the final 4 -1. At the end of the season after a number of years Mark West and his management team left the club. Ben Williams formally of Aylesbury United was appointed to guide the club through the 2023/2024 season.
2023 /2024 was a difficult season, new manager Ben Williams joined the club with pre-season about to start and had to work hard to bring in players. The team spent most of the team fighting at the bottom of the table, which resulted in the team finishing second from bottom of the table, this did not reflect the overall performances with many games Thame
the team reaching the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final for the second season running and coming away with a 3 - 2 victory against Kidlington, lifting the cup for the second consecutive season.
Ben Williams and his team remained in charge for the 2024/ 2025 season and got off to a good start, reaching the third qualifying round of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. In the league the team were in playoff contention right up until the last game of the season, but missed out by 3 points finishing in sixth place. But there was good news in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup where the team won the title for the third consecutive year beating Ardly United 5 - 1 in the final at Oxford City.
Thame United Reserves are back playing step 6 football after dropping out of the Hellenic league in 2022/2023 season after finishing bottom of the league, after two seasons playing in the Oxfordshire
BIRTHDAYS | SPORTS | RACES | STAG AND HEN | WEDDINGS | AIRPORTS
LUXURY TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY SERVICES
There’s a new glow over Stratford Road — and it’s not just from the excitement of another big season. After months of hard work, careful planning, and a hefty £100,000 investment, Alcester Town Football Club now has brand-new floodlights shining proudly over the pitch.
The installation marks another huge milestone for the club, following a year of on-pitch success that saw Town earn promotion from Step 7 to Step 6 in the football pyramid — a vital achievement that unlocked the next phase of the club’s development.
Club Chairman Stephen McAdam explained that the idea of floodlights had been bubbling away in the background for a while, but promotion was the key that turned aspiration into action.
“Floodlights were a prerequisite for Step 6 football,” Stephen told the Herald. “Once we achieved promotion, things could finally start moving. It’s another big step forward for the club and part of our ongoing goal to keep improving and pushing up through the non-league ranks — as far as we can possibly go.”
Of course, as with most things in non-league football, it wasn’t as simple as flicking a switch. The club first had to navigate a maze of planning requirements, and even worked with the National Grid to reroute overhead power lines running down the side of the pitch — all before installation could even begin.
“There was a lot of unseen graft behind the scenes,” Stephen said. “Once the groundwork was done, the installation went smoothly, but getting to that stage took a huge amount of time, coordination, and commitment from a lot of people.”
That effort paid off in mid-October when, for the first time, the lights flickered on at Stratford Road. The first test switch-on on 15th October was a proud and emotional moment for everyone connected with the club.
Now, all eyes are on Tuesday 4th November, when Alcester Town will host UDA Gloucester Development in the second round of the Wiseman Lighting Cup — the club’s first official match under the new floodlights.
“It was a special feeling when we pressed that button,” Stephen added. “We’re still running the lights off a generator until the final work with National Grid is completed, but that won’t take the shine off what’s a really big moment for the club.”
The installation of the floodlights doesn’t just meet a league requirement — it symbolises the club’s ambition and steady rise. From dedicated volunteers to loyal supporters, it’s been a collective effort that shows what’s possible when everyone pulls together.
As the nights draw in and the lights go up, Alcester Town steps into a bright new chapter
JUNIOR ROUNDUP
October 2025
On the Pitch
From one extreme to another with the weather!
At the start of the season we were battling rock-hard pitches, and this weekend Storm Amy tried her best to disrupt the junior games.
Despite the wind and rain, the show went onwith 15 Alcester Town teams braving the storm. A few wayward crosses and unexpected ball swerves didn’t stop the fun, as our players showed true determination and spirit.
Another fantastic weekend of children enjoying their grassroots football journey - come rain or shine!
Fundraising
• Just £1 a week
• Pick six numbers between 1 - 59
• Numbers are knocked off each Saturday alongside the National Lottery
• The first to cross off all six wins 50% of the cash pot – with the other 50% going straight back into the club
To enter, please contact Gary Williams on 07766 664289 or alcestertownfootballclub@gmail.com
Finally...
A huge thank you to all our parents, volunteers,
IN FOCUS
This week our spotlight turns to the Alcester Juniors U10'S
For the majority of the team their footballing passage began at four to five years old with Gary Williams in his Sunday Morning development group.
Even at an early age the boys showed great potential thriving off playing, learning and having fun.
At U8 the Alcester Juniors team were formed and I started my coaching journey. We spent the U8 and U9 season in the Ambassador league where we were very successful.
This season at U10 we felt we needed a new challenge to develop the team further so entered into the Mercian league. So far this season our results again have been very fruitful.
This season we have intensified our training concentrating on a far more vigorous style of playing. Quick passing, reactive, and finishing drills have been our focus and a change of shape tacticly but still having fun.
Coaching this team has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Watching the boys grow physically, mentally and emotionally through rain and sun, cold and hot, wins and loses but we always come through smiling.
This season in addition we formed a second
team Alcester Phoenix U10. Although most of these players have previously played in other teams it's a new side playing in the Ambassador league.
The results at the start of the season did not go out way, however the loses were marginal and a few weeks later and the Phoenix team are on a three game win streak.
The team are settling well together making new bonds and friendships, learning the Alcester way of training and we expect them to go from strength to strength.
Neither of the two teams would be possible however without the support from our club, coaches and parents and I thank you all.
Our coaches are incredibly passionate in giving the best environment for our team to develop and my job is so much easier with parents supporting our teams throughout the season through training, match days and sponsorship.
IN MEMORIAM
Dave “Mr Alcester Town” Taylor
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of our beloved former chairman, Dave Taylor, who sadly left us on 22nd October 2020.
Fondly known as “Mr Alcester Town,” Dave was the heartbeat of our club - a man whose passion, dedication, and vision helped shape Alcester Town Football Club into what it is today.
His unwavering commitment to our growth, both on and off the
2025/26 SQUAD
FIXTURE & RESULTS
AUGUST
Sat Aug 02
Tue Aug 05
Sat Aug 09
Sat Aug 16
Sat Aug 23
Mon Aug 25
Sat Aug 30
SEPTEMBER
Tue Sep 02
Sat Sep 06
Sat Sep 13
Sat Sep 20
Sat Sep 27
Tue Sep 30
OCTOBER
Sat Oct 04
Sat Oct 11
Sat Oct 18
Tue Oct 21
Sat Nov 01
NOVEMBER
Tue Nov 04
Sat Nov 08
Sat Nov 15
Sat Nov 22
Sat Nov 29
Stonehouse Town Wellington Malmesbury Victoria Carterton
Thame United Reserves
Bewdley Town
Brimscombe & Thrupp
Woodford United
Cheltenham Saracens
Chipping Sodbury Town
Wantage Town
Ludlow Town (Cup)
Cheltenham Saracens (Cup)
Ludlow Town
Chipping Sodbury Town
Clanfield 85
Cradley Town First
Thame United Reserves
UDA Glos Dev.(cup)
Newent Town
Brimscombe & Thrupp
Stonehouse Town
FC Stratford
DECEMBER
Sat Dec 06 Sat Dec 27
JANUARY Sat Jan 03 Sat Jan 10 Sat Jan 17 Sat Jan 24
FEBRUARY
Sat Feb 07
Sat Feb 21
Sat Feb 28
MARCH
Sat Mar 07
Sat Mar 14
Sat Mar 28
APRIL
Mon Apr 06 Sat Apr 11 Sat Apr 18
Carterton Redditch Borough
Woodford United
Cheltenham Saracens
Shortwood United Bewdley Town
Clanfield 85
Malmesbury Victoria
Wantage Town
Wellington
Newent Town
Ludlow Town
FC Stratford
Redditch Borough
Shortwood United
MATCH REPORT
Alcester made the trip to Clanfield hoping to continue their recent good form and started brightly, with Will
Chasing the game after the break, Alcester showed renewed energy. Jack Cole’s superb solo run and
weekend, Alcester Town faced a quick midweek turnaround to take on reigning cup holders Cradley Town under the floodlights.
The first half was cagey, with few clear cut chances, as both sides started cautiously, wary of making mistakes.
Half Time: Cradley Town 0-0 Alcester Town
The second half saw Alcester come out with intent, dominating the battles and probing the Cradley back line.
Aaron Xavier’s free kick was weakly headed to the edge of the box, where Will Skelton met it with a sublime half volley into the top corner, leaving the Cradley keeper with no chance.
Cradley pushed hard in the closing stages, but Alcester held firm to secure a 1–0 victory, booking their place in the next round.
Full Time: Cradley Town 0-1 Alcester Town
SQUADS
Jack Atkinson
Adam Bourn
Josh Bowen
Luke Brown
Aaron Bunn
Ashley Bunn
Jack Cole
Cameron Crook
Kian Davies
George Davis
Harrison Dodd
Billy Eric Duggins
Luke Dugmore
Christopher Dyson
Henry Gibson
Samuel Hart
Woody Hawkett
William Haycock
Dan Jarvis
Louis Jones
James Lev
Connor McCarthy
Daniel Murphy
Jack Nicholls
Liam O'Donnell
Joe Reynolds
Arran Richmond
Drew Ricketts
Tristan Roberts
William Robert Skelton
Kyle Stenson
Jake Wicketts
Daniel Williams
Luke Wyatt
Aaron Xavier
Ryan Young
George Collingwood
Matthew Burrell
Daniel Starkey
Matthew Knight
Daniel Madu
Cameron Lagan
Mateuss Legowski
Sol Nicholson-Kempster
Loik Helmer
James Carr
Kareem Sulaiman
Jack Pember
Dan Hatton
Ryan Daily
Taylor Goodby
Ashley Moakes
Iheanyi Ejimofor
Jamieson Hunt
Jermaine Muponda
Lewis Cross
Flynn Livingstone
Joe Bennett
Tommy Gibson
Charlie Stow
Brandon Bray Sackey