Gloucestershire County Football Association
Encyclopedia
The Gloucestershire County Football Association, also simply known as the Gloucestershire FA or GFA, is the governing body
of football in the county of Gloucestershire
. It was formed in 1886.
1886: At a meeting in the Full Moon Hotel, Stokes Croft
, Bristol
on the 7th September, the Gloucestershire Football Association was formed to be administered by a Management Committee. Gloucestershire’s first President was the famous cricketer Dr W.G. Grace who was also an active Referee.
1889-90: 33 Clubs had affiliated to the County, which enabled a delegate to be sent to the Football Association.
1892: The Association was running two Cup Competitions and playing five or six County matches a season with the first League commencing operations.
1898: The Association's Management Committee became the Council with representatives from 15 Clubs and a representative from each League affiliated to the Association.
1919-20: A major change in the structure of the Council occurred when Northern Council was formed from areas north of Thornbury
. However all decisions still had to be sanctioned by the full Council.
1927: The County Minor (Youth) Association was formulated.
1933: The responsibilities of the County Minor Association were assumed by the Main Council.
1946: The County Youth Association was revived following its demise in 1933.
1967: Moves were made to form an entirely separate Council in the North. But at a meeting in December it was agreed that two separate Associations were impractical. The immediate result was that a joint annual meeting was introduced in addition to the A.G.M.
1976: The last independent North and South Council meetings took place and in 1977 the Council again became a unified body.
1995: Following the sudden death of the long serving Hon. Secretary E J Marsh, the County appointed Paul Britton as full- time Secretary and shortly afterwards purchased the property at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury
as its first permanent Headquarters.
1999: The County took the significant step of becoming a Limited Company becoming known as Gloucestershire Football Association Ltd.
2000: The development of Oaklands Park that included the addition of a Floodlit All-Weather Pitch and new Dressing Rooms was completed. These facilities are now being extensively used for training groups from local junior clubs and disabled organisations.
2001: The development of the All-Weather Pitch and Dressing Rooms released capacity within the original building for the development of office space, a Board Room and Council Chamber.
2002: The County Youth Association ceased to be a semi- autonomous Association when it was incorporated into the main Association as the Youth Committee.
2006: David Neale was appointed Chief Executive following the death of Paul Britton in December 2005.
was regretfully placed in the hands of the liquidator following a period of financial difficulties. Almondsbury Town FC became tenants at Oaklands Park in 1995 until May 2010, and in addition to using the pitch, the club were able to rent half of the building as a bar and skittle alley.
By 2009 the GFA established that they needed to take over this area for our their own use in order to cater for the increasing number of people employed by the Association in developing grassroots football. In addition to accommodating their staff, the GFA also needed training facilities to assist the development of clubs, coaches and referees.
The situation has eventually led to the demise of Almondsbury Town FC who in April 2011 announced that they were withdrawing from Zamaretto League
's 2011–12 season and disbanding the first team citing failure to find a ground share as the main cause. In response the GFA released a statement advising that it was Almondsbury Town's decision to leave Oaklands Park, originally in April 2010, that prompted them to find new tenants and that an agreement had been struck with Winterbourne United
and Roman Glass St George
in October of that same year.
The situation has resulted in damaging publicity for the GFA in the local press. The Association have reiterated that their "main purpose as an organisation is to drive increased participation in football. As a direct result of the Oaklands Park refurbishment programme, (they) were able to host a team of four FA Tesco Skills Coaches". The GFA expressed disappointment that the club were unsuccessful in their discussions with other parties.
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Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
of football in the county of Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. It was formed in 1886.
History
The Gloucestershire County Football Association has developed from small beginnings in 1886 into an Association of more than 2000 affiliated teams and 20 affiliated Leagues. Key dates in the history of the Association are provided below:1886: At a meeting in the Full Moon Hotel, Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft is the name of a road and an area in Bristol, England. The road forms part of the A38 that leads north from the city centre, before it takes the names Cheltenham Road and then Gloucester Road...
, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
on the 7th September, the Gloucestershire Football Association was formed to be administered by a Management Committee. Gloucestershire’s first President was the famous cricketer Dr W.G. Grace who was also an active Referee.
1889-90: 33 Clubs had affiliated to the County, which enabled a delegate to be sent to the Football Association.
1892: The Association was running two Cup Competitions and playing five or six County matches a season with the first League commencing operations.
1898: The Association's Management Committee became the Council with representatives from 15 Clubs and a representative from each League affiliated to the Association.
1919-20: A major change in the structure of the Council occurred when Northern Council was formed from areas north of Thornbury
Thornbury
-Placenames:Australia*Thornbury, Victoria*Thornbury railway station, MelbourneCanada*Thornbury, OntarioEngland*Thornbury, Devon*Thornbury, Herefordshire*Thornbury, South Gloucestershire**Thornbury Castle*Thornbury, West YorkshireNew Zealand...
. However all decisions still had to be sanctioned by the full Council.
1927: The County Minor (Youth) Association was formulated.
1933: The responsibilities of the County Minor Association were assumed by the Main Council.
1946: The County Youth Association was revived following its demise in 1933.
1967: Moves were made to form an entirely separate Council in the North. But at a meeting in December it was agreed that two separate Associations were impractical. The immediate result was that a joint annual meeting was introduced in addition to the A.G.M.
1976: The last independent North and South Council meetings took place and in 1977 the Council again became a unified body.
1995: Following the sudden death of the long serving Hon. Secretary E J Marsh, the County appointed Paul Britton as full- time Secretary and shortly afterwards purchased the property at Oaklands Park, Almondsbury
Almondsbury
Almondsbury is a large village near junction 16 of the M5 motorway, in South Gloucestershire, England.-Description:The village is split by a steep hill, part of the escarpment overlooking the Severn floodplain. At the bottom of the hill is Lower Almondsbury where a pub and hotel, The Bowl Inn, is...
as its first permanent Headquarters.
1999: The County took the significant step of becoming a Limited Company becoming known as Gloucestershire Football Association Ltd.
2000: The development of Oaklands Park that included the addition of a Floodlit All-Weather Pitch and new Dressing Rooms was completed. These facilities are now being extensively used for training groups from local junior clubs and disabled organisations.
2001: The development of the All-Weather Pitch and Dressing Rooms released capacity within the original building for the development of office space, a Board Room and Council Chamber.
2002: The County Youth Association ceased to be a semi- autonomous Association when it was incorporated into the main Association as the Youth Committee.
2006: David Neale was appointed Chief Executive following the death of Paul Britton in December 2005.
Oaklands Park
Oaklands Park was purchased by the Gloucestershire Football Association (GFA) for their new headquarters in 1994 after the existing owners Almondsbury Town FCAlmondsbury Town F.C.
Almondsbury Town F.C. are a football club based in Almondsbury, near Bristol, England. The club resigned from the Zamaretto Southern Football League Division One South & West at the end of the 2010–11 season and the first team disbanded, but they are continuing to play at the level of their former...
was regretfully placed in the hands of the liquidator following a period of financial difficulties. Almondsbury Town FC became tenants at Oaklands Park in 1995 until May 2010, and in addition to using the pitch, the club were able to rent half of the building as a bar and skittle alley.
By 2009 the GFA established that they needed to take over this area for our their own use in order to cater for the increasing number of people employed by the Association in developing grassroots football. In addition to accommodating their staff, the GFA also needed training facilities to assist the development of clubs, coaches and referees.
The situation has eventually led to the demise of Almondsbury Town FC who in April 2011 announced that they were withdrawing from Zamaretto League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
's 2011–12 season and disbanding the first team citing failure to find a ground share as the main cause. In response the GFA released a statement advising that it was Almondsbury Town's decision to leave Oaklands Park, originally in April 2010, that prompted them to find new tenants and that an agreement had been struck with Winterbourne United
Winterbourne United F.C.
Winterbourne United F.C. are a football club based in Winterbourne, near Bristol, England. They were established in 1911 and joined the Gloucestershire County League in 1992. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Hellenic Football League Division One West...
and Roman Glass St George
Roman Glass St George F.C.
Roman Glass St George F.C. is a football club based in the Bristol suburb of St George, Bristol, England. Founded in 1872, they are the oldest club in Bristol...
in October of that same year.
The situation has resulted in damaging publicity for the GFA in the local press. The Association have reiterated that their "main purpose as an organisation is to drive increased participation in football. As a direct result of the Oaklands Park refurbishment programme, (they) were able to host a team of four FA Tesco Skills Coaches". The GFA expressed disappointment that the club were unsuccessful in their discussions with other parties.
Men's Saturday Leagues
- Gloucestershire County LeagueGloucestershire County LeagueThe Gloucestershire County League is a football league in England, founded in 1968. The league is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA....
(1968) - Bristol & Avon League (1910)
- Bristol & District League (1892)
- Bristol & Suburban League (1894)
- Bristol Churches League (1992)
- Bristol Downs League (1905)
- Bristol Premier Combination League (1957)
- Cheltenham LeagueCheltenham LeagueThe Cheltenham Association League is a football competition based in England and has a total of six divisions. Its top division, Division One sits at level 14 of the English football league system. It is a feeder to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League...
(1899) - Cirencester & District League (1921)
- Cotswold Churches League (2007)
- Gloucestershire Northern Senior League (1922)
- North Gloucestershire LeagueNorth Gloucestershire LeagueThe North Gloucestershire Association League is a football competition based in England. The league is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA...
(1907) - Stroud & District League (1902)
- West Dean Charity League (1966)
Men's Sunday Leagues
- Bristol & District Sunday League (1966)
- Bristol & Wessex Sunday League (1980)
- Bristol Regional League (Sunday) (1963)
- Cheltenham Sunday League (1968)
- Gloucester & District Sunday League (1965)
Ladies & Girls Leagues
- Gloucestershire County Women's League (1998)
- Gloucester County Girls League (2000)
- Bristol Girls League (2001)
Youth Leagues
- Gloucestershire County Youth League (1985)
- Avon Youth League (1981)
- Hanham Minor League (1978)
- Bristol (U18) Football Combination League (1995)
- Bristol Saturday Youth League (2008)
- Cheltenham Youth League (1998)
- Cotswold Youth League (2005)
- Gloucester Youth League (1946)
- Mid Gloucester Mini-Soccer League (1996)
- Stroud & District Youth League (1947)
Small Sided Leagues
- ‘Active 5aside’ - Adult Indoor Football
- League South Gloucestershire
- - Bradley Stoke
- - Kingswood
- - Thornbury
- - Yate
- Champion Soccer
- - Cheltenham
- Clifton College Sports Club
- Summer 8-a-side League
- Goals – Bristol North
- Goals – Bristol South
- Pitch Invasion 5-a-side
- - Bristol
- - Cheltenham
- - Gloucester
- - Stroud
- Prostar Leagues
- - Bristol – Ashton Park
- - Bristol - Horfield
- - Bristol – St George
- - Gloucester
- - Stroud
- - Tewkesbury
Futsal Leagues
- - Hanham
- Onside & Aspire Adult Futsal League
- - Gloucester
Other Leagues
- Bristol Casuals League (Veterans)
- Gloucestershire & Somerset FA Ability Counts County League (2009)
Disbanded or Amalgamated Leagues
A number of leagues that were affiliated to the Gloucestershire FA have disbanded or amalgamated including:- Bristol Avon League (not to be confused with Bristol & Avon League)
- Bristol Church of England League (now known as Bristol & Avon League)
- Bristol Regional League (Saturday Competition)
- Bristol Wednesday League
- Dursley and District League
- Dursley and Wotton League
- Gloucester and District League
- Iron Acton and District League
- Forest of Dean League
- Mid Gloucestershire League
- Wotton and District League
Affiliated Member Clubs
Among the notable clubs that are affiliated to the Gloucestershire FA are:- Almondsbury UWE
- Almondsbury TownAlmondsbury Town F.C.Almondsbury Town F.C. are a football club based in Almondsbury, near Bristol, England. The club resigned from the Zamaretto Southern Football League Division One South & West at the end of the 2010–11 season and the first team disbanded, but they are continuing to play at the level of their former...
- Bishop's CleeveBishop's Cleeve F.C.Bishop's Cleeve F.C. are a football club based in Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. They were established in 1905. They joined the Hellenic Football League Division One in 1983 and reached the 3rd round of the FA Vase in the 2005-06 season. They are currently members of...
- Bitton
- Brimscombe & ThruppBrimscombe & Thrupp F.C.Brimscombe and Thrupp are a football club based in Brimscombe near Stroud. They are currently members of the Gloucestershire County League and won the league in the 2010-11 season, earning promotion to the Hellenic Football League. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County...
- Bristol CityBristol City F.C.Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
- Bristol Manor FarmBristol Manor Farm F.C.Bristol Manor Farm F.C. is an English football team who play in the Western Football League. They play their home games at The Creek, Bristol. The club is affiliated to the Somerset County FA and Gloucestershire County FA....
- Bristol RoversBristol Rovers F.C.Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
- Cadbury HeathCadbury Heath F.C.Cadbury Heath F.C. are a football club based in Cadbury Heath, Bristol, England. They were among the founding members of the Gloucestershire County League in 1968 and have won the title 7 times and runners-up on 4 occasions....
- Cheltenham SaracensCheltenham Saracens F.C.Cheltenham Saracens F.C. are a football club based in Cheltenham, England. They joined the Hellenic League Division One in 1986. Currently they are members of the Hellenic Football League Premier Division...
- Cheltenham TownCheltenham Town F.C.Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
- Cinderford TownCinderford Town F.C.Cinderford Town A.F.C. are a football club based in Cinderford in Gloucestershire, England. They were established in 1922 and joined the Western League in 1946. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Southern League Division One South and West...
- Cirencester TownCirencester Town F.C.Cirencester Town is an English football club based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Corinium Stadium...
- Fairford TownFairford Town F.C.Fairford Town F.C. is a football club based in Fairford, Gloucestershire in England. The club was established in 1891 and joined the Hellenic League Division One in 1970. They are currently members of the Hellenic Football League Premier Division...
- Forest Green RoversForest Green Rovers F.C.Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
- Gloucester CityGloucester City A.F.C.Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
- HardwickeHardwicke A.F.C.Hardwicke A.F.C. are an amateur football club from Gloucestershire, England. The club was formed in 1933. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-History:...
- HallenHallen F.C.Hallen A.F.C. is a football club based in Hallen, near Bristol, England, currently members of the Western League Premier Division. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA....
- Harrow HillHarrow Hill F.C.Harrow Hill A.F.C. is an English football club based in the village of Harrow Hill, Gloucestershire. The club are currently members of Division One of the Gloucester Northern Senior League and play at Larksfield Road. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-History:Established in...
- Longwell Green Sports
- Lydney TownLydney Town F.C.Lydney Town F.C. are a football club based in Lydney, Gloucestershire, England. They joined the Hellenic League Division One in 1980 but left the league in 1984. In the 2005-06 season, they won the Gloucestershire County League title, earning promotion back into the Hellenic League Division One...
- Mangotsfield UnitedMangotsfield United F.C.Mangotsfield United F.C. is an English football club based in Mangotsfield, in the Greater Bristol area, who currently play in the Southern League Division One South and West. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA and Somerset County FA....
- Oldland AbbotoniansOldland Abbotonians F.C.Oldland Abbotonians F.C. is a football club based in Oldland Common, near Bristol, England. In the 2006-07 season, they finished third in the Somerset County League, which is a level 11 league of the English football league system. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Western Football...
- Roman Glass St GeorgeRoman Glass St George F.C.Roman Glass St George F.C. is a football club based in the Bristol suburb of St George, Bristol, England. Founded in 1872, they are the oldest club in Bristol...
- Shortwood UnitedShortwood United F.C.Shortwood United Football Club is an English football club from Nailsworth, Gloucestershire who are members of the Hellenic League Premier Division. Its home ground, Meadowbank Ground, features floodlighting. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-History:The club has been members...
- SlimbridgeSlimbridge F.C.Slimbridge Football Club are an English football club representing the village of Slimbridge, near Dursley, Gloucestershire , currently playing in the Hellenic League...
- Stonehouse TownStonehouse Town F.C.Stonehouse Town F.C. are an English football club representing the town of Stonehouse in Gloucestershire, currently playing in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League...
- Tuffley RoversTuffley Rovers F.C.Tuffley Rovers F.C. are a football club based in Tuffley, Gloucester, England. In the 2011-12 season, the club is playing in the Gloucestershire County League, the 11th level of the English football league system. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-History:In the 1988-89...
- Tytherington RocksTytherington Rocks F.C.Tytherington Rocks F.C. is a football club based in Tytherington, near Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.They were formed in 1932 and Joined the Bristol and Suburban Association Football League...
- Winchcombe Town
- Winterbourne UnitedWinterbourne United F.C.Winterbourne United F.C. are a football club based in Winterbourne, near Bristol, England. They were established in 1911 and joined the Gloucestershire County League in 1992. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Hellenic Football League Division One West...
- Yate TownYate Town F.C.Yate Town F.C. is a football club based in Yate, South Gloucestershire, England. They were established in 1906 as Yate Rovers and changed their name to Yate YMCA in 1946, becoming Yate Town in 1969...
List of Challenge Trophy Winners
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List of Senior Amateur Challenge Cup (South) Winners
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List of Senior Amateur Challenge Cup (North) Winners
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List of recent lower tier County Cup (South) Winners
| Season | Junior (South) Winners | Intermediate (South) Winners | Minor (South) Winners | Primary (South) Winners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Totterdown United | Langton Court Rangers | Brimsham Green Res. | Mendip Gate |
| 2001-02 | Longshore | Longwell Green Sports Res. | Alveston Rangers | Winterbourne United Winterbourne United F.C. Winterbourne United F.C. are a football club based in Winterbourne, near Bristol, England. They were established in 1911 and joined the Gloucestershire County League in 1992. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Hellenic Football League Division One West... ‘A’ |
| 2002-03 | Lawrence Rovers | Sea Mills Park Res. | Soundwell Victoria | Ridings High 'A' |
| 2003-04 | TC Sports | Cadbury Heath Cadbury Heath F.C. Cadbury Heath F.C. are a football club based in Cadbury Heath, Bristol, England. They were among the founding members of the Gloucestershire County League in 1968 and have won the title 7 times and runners-up on 4 occasions.... ‘A’ |
Shaftesbury Crusade Res. | Lawrence Rovers Res. |
| 2004-05 | Patchway Town Res. | Soundwell Victoria | AXA ‘A’ | Eden Grove |
| 2005-06 | Talbot Knowle | Southmead Athletic | Shirehampton ‘A’ | Bristol Sanctuary |
| 2006-07 | Lawrence Rovers | AFC Bohemia | Brislington Cricketers | Inter The Bloomfield |
| 2007-08 | Wessex Wanderers | Winterbourne United Winterbourne United F.C. Winterbourne United F.C. are a football club based in Winterbourne, near Bristol, England. They were established in 1911 and joined the Gloucestershire County League in 1992. For the 2011-12 season, they are members of the Hellenic Football League Division One West... ‘A’ |
Bristol Sanctuary XI | Broad Walk FC Res. |
| 2008-09 | Lawrence Rovers | Hanham Athletic ‘A’ | Broadwalk Reserves | Southmead CS (Saturday) |
| 2009-10 | Ashley | Eden Grove | St Georges Rangers | Real Thornbury |
| 2010-11 | Brislington Cricketers | Bradley Stoke Town | St Philip & Jacob (Pip n Jay) | Carmel |
Source
List of recent lower tier County Cup (North) Winners
| Season | Junior (North) Winners | Intermediate (North) Winners | Minor (North) Winners | Primary (North) Winners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Tetbury Town | Cam Bulldogs | Phoenix United | Hillesley Utd. |
| 2001-02 | Charfield | Taverners Res. | Down Ampney | Aylburton Res. |
| 2002-03 | Berkeley Town | Patriots | Aylburton | Marshall Langston |
| 2003-04 | Longlevens | G.A.L.A. Wilton | Adlestrop D & O | Ramblers Res. |
| 2004-05 | G.A.L.A. Wilton | Moreton Town | Woodmancote | Worral Hill |
| 2005-06 | Ramblers | Lydbrook Athletic | Stratton Wanderers | AC Olympia |
| 2006-07 | Barnwood Utd | AFC Bohemia | Tewkesbury Dynamos | Newnham Utd |
| 2007-08 | FC Barometrics | Kingswood Res. | Tewkesbury Rovers | Didmarton |
| 2008-09 | Frampton United | Bibury | Charlton Rovers Res. | C & G |
| 2009-10 | Marshall Langston | FC Barometrics | C & G | Bush |
| 2010-11 | Minsterworth | Whitecroft | Whaddon Utd | F C Lakeside |
Source
Board of Directors
- Roger Burden (Chairman)
- Roy Schafer (Deputy Chairman)
- Tony Stone (Finance Director)
- Derek Cumner
- Ken Fry
- Alan Pearce
Key Officials
- David Neale (Chief Executive)
- Gary Probert (County Development Manager)
- Chris Lucker (Operations Manager)