A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors Cribbs FC. I would also like to welcome all of the returning former players for this afternoons ‘Old Boys / Reunion’ day, I hope you enjoy the match and have a great afternoon (and evening) catching up with old and new friends.

Last Saturday saw the 1st team gain their second consecutive win with a hardworking performance against a plucky Hanham Athletic side, it was especially nice to see the returning Joe Hodson net the winner after almost 9-months out injured. The target, however, doesn’t change with the lads tasked with moving up the table during these last 8 matches to finish as high as possible for a positive end to the season. The Reserve team have also won their last 2-matches to ensure they will be playing in the Bristol & Suburban Premier Division next season, so huge congratulations to the management team and players for that.

Please come and search me out or contact me through our website if you can help with sponsoring a match, player, or pitch side advertising board, or would just like to help and get involved with the running of the club. We are always looking for more help with match days, pitch works, fundraising or just being part of an active committee.

Finally, please remember ‘we win

together, we lose together but most

importantly we stick together’.

Kick Off 3pm (2pm Nov to Feb)

HISTORY

Cribbs Football Club was founded in London in 1958 as Sun Life Assurance. The Bristol team was established in 1976 when Sun Life first relocated to Bristol. Initially, two teams were run, participating in the Bristol and Avon League, playing at Dundridge Farm. However, when the Cribbs Causeway ground was opened in 1978, the first team were promoted straight to the Avon Premier Combination League (later renamed Bristol Premier Combination) where they stayed for 20 years until they eventually won promotion to the County League in 1999–2000.

In the summer of 2011, the club changed its name from AXA to Cribbs Friends Life FC ready for the 2011–12 season. The season was Cribbs' most successful season to date as the club claimed its first Gloucestershire County League title on the way to an unprecedented League and Cup double. The team later adding the Les James League Cup to the League Championship and in the process becoming the first and only side to achieve this feat.

As a result of winning the league, the club earned promotion to the Western League Division One for the 2012–2013 subsequently changing their name to simply, Cribbs FC.

Cribbs were promoted into the Western League Premier Division for the commencement of the 2015-2016 season and obtained numerous top half finishes until at the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League.

Under the stewardship of Richard Luffman, Cribbs in his first full season in charge, recorded a best ever Step Five position of fourth in the Hellenic League. They also were winners of the League Cup defeating Hereford Pegasus 1-0 through a George Kellow goal.

Cribbs gained Southern League status in 2023 after becoming champions of the Hellenic League, clinching promotion with a 1-0 win over Wantage Town with a match to spare.

2023/2024 was the first season in the Southern League and saw a third placed finish.

Since its inception the club has run multiple sides across the Bristol Premier Combination and Bristol & District League. The Reserve Team won the Premier Combination in 2021/2022 season and did so in numerous seasons prior. They were granted entry to the Gloucestershire County League for 2022/2023.

In their first season in the GCL they finished six points in front of Bromley Heath United to clinch the title and earn promotion to the Toolstation Western League Division One.

For the 2025/26 season the 1st Team will play in the Hellenic Premier Division, Reserves compete in the Gloucestershire County League and A Team in the Bristol Premier Combination Division 1.

Corey Weir

Goalkeeper who joined the club in the summer, previous experience in Hellenic League

Jude Brown

Goalkeeper who joined in the summer having moved to Bristol, young keeper with a great future

James Capon

Capon Junior has plenty offer anywhere across the midfield

Andy Capon

"Capes" takes up a Player Coach role for this season, still got the magic touch, you can't lose pace if you never had it!

James Carolan

Very technical player and has a work rate to match, moves up this season from the A Team

Liam Clayton

Striker with over 500 club appearances, leads the line as good as anyone

Alex Craig

Can play on either flank, makes dynamic runs and eye for a goal, last season A Team POY, progressed to Reserves squad for this season

Dave Dassy

Soh Winger with a trick or two and can certainly finish given the opportunity

Ollie Dunleavy

Team Captain, Mr Reliable, can run all day and made over 500 appearances for the club

Andy Forward

"Mr Forward" brings vast experience and technically ability to the midfield

Jake Harris

Came through the Cribbs youth system and after a short break from the game joins up with the Reserves for this season

Barney Hawker

Baby of the squad, Mangotsfield youth product given the opportunity in A Team last season, very promising future at left back

Tom Headford

Made over 500 appearances for the club and score plenty of goals down the years. Looking to provide the fire power this season

Harvey Jasper

Technically gifted midfielder, started last season as Captain of the A Team before becoming a regular in the Reserves, loves a step over!

Bryson Ladip

Strong, quick, dynamic, joins up with the squad following a spell at Tytherington last season

Dan Monk

In his 10th season with the club, wand of a left foot

Adam Mugondi

Young striker, come up through U18 and A Team before making an impact with Reserves last season, a real handful for defenders

Aquila Olaleye

Played amateur football in Nigeria before moving to the UK. Strong, quick full back

Jesse Otoo

Quick and strong full back joined the club in the summer

James Pellowe

Experienced defender, made over 400 appearances for the club

Toby Pocock

Left winger, steps up following a strong season with the A Team last year

Kian Smith Lawrence

Promising youngster who has impressed in pre season, playing anywhere in the midfield

Toby Stocks-Hayward

Strong tenacious fullback, came through U18s and A Team and progressed to the Reserve squad for this season

Dan Thompson

Versatile player, good technique, joins from Hanham

Luke Wilcox

Defender who joined Cribbs A Team 3 years ago having played youth football with Mangotsfield, progressed to Reserves squad this season

Max Wiltshire Imposing centre half, joined from DRG in the summer

Not much happening at the top this weekend but Filton Athletic’s chances of winning the title were dealt a serious blow in midweek with a defeat against Tytherington Rocks. At the bottom there were defeats for Hanham, Totterdown, Cribbs and Ruardean Hill with only Tytherington gaining a point.

At Hardwicke Tytherington Rocks were looking to build on four wins in a row against Broadwell Amateurs. The weather was perfect for football and Tytherington took an early lead when right back Mat Sumner hit a 30-yard looping shot over Jack Watkins. Tytherington created a few more chances but were unable to double the lead going into half time. After the break Broadwell pushed for an equaliser but were unable to break Rocks defence. The game became a bit stop start with fouls being committed by the home side giving Broadwell opportunities to push for a goal and they made it count in the 70^th minute when a free kick just outside the box was smashed in by Jordi Locke. No clear chances were made by either team after that with both settling for a point.

On a day when the weather couldn’t decide what it wanted to do at Arnall Drive, Henbury & Rockleaze decided they wanted the points against Hanham Athletic. Hanham made the better start with early pressure but couldn’t test stand-in keeper Lewis Jefferies. The first decent chance fell to H&R’s Drew Sawdon who saw his header fly just wide from Nick Jones free kick. On 26 minutes Hanham took the lead with H&R’s defence looking at the flag and not playing to the whistle Preston Webb struck the crossbar

with a rasping effort and Liam Maggs was on hand to tap home. Just a minute later H&R equalised when Sawdon battled to win the ball back and fired superbly past Ashton Trott. On 43 minutes Danny Burd’s effort was well saved by Trott and Hanham went up the other end with Jefferies making an outstanding stop to keep out Webb’s header. H&R started the second half much the stronger and on 51 minutes Trott did really well to save a Jones free kick and on 70 minutes he turned what looked like a certain goal from Burd around the post. With H&R piling on the pressure the returning Joe Hodson won the game in the 87th minute after Adam Ogden slipped him in and his delicate dink was good enough to beat the superb Trott to ensure the 3 points went to H&R. Hanham certainly played their part in a decent game of football, but one that H&R deserved to win due to their second half performance.

With the Wick pitch in superb condition the Owls welcomed Ruardean Hill Rangers to the Nest in somewhat blustery conditions and Hill elected to play against the wind in the first half. The first chance fell to Wick in the fifth minute when a shot was deflected wide and three minutes later Sam Archer delivered a great cross which was turned in by Cory Langdon at the far post to open Wick’s account. On 20 minutes Ruardean broke quickly but the shot was across the face of goal and two minutes later a good advantage by the Referee allowed Archer to break free and deliver a superb ball to Langdon who made no mistake in slotting past Underwood for his and Wick’s second. On 30 minutes a great cross found Langdon again only for him head over. 3 minutes later an under hit back pass forced Mason Hawkins out of his box to clear, but he only found a Ruardean forward, but luckily for Wick, his lobbed shot hit the underside of the bar and went out to safety. 

However, on 42 minutes Wick gifted the ball to Hill’s Charley Mason who rushed through holding off two defenders and fired past Hawkins clawing a goal back. Things could have got better for Hill when a great shot from distance produced an equally good save from Hawkins. The second half was fairly end to end and a 50th minute Wick free kick just cleared the bar, a 55th minute Hill effort was well saved by Hawkins, and 2 minutes later a Wick free kick was spilt by Underwood and the loose ball shot blocked. On the hour a long punt by Underwood set Steve Clarke free and his header went just wide and a few minutes later Archer put Langdon through whose shot beat Underwood but not the post. The game petered out a little until the final moments when both sides went near, but Wick held on to three points with a 2-1 win.

Cribbs Reserves made their first trip to Northway to play Tewkesbury Town. Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Town put eight past Cribbs only for the three points to be chalked off for a registration issue. However, it didn’t take long for Town to notch their first, Lee Llewellyn pitched in a flat corner for Scott Nicolls to use his height to power in a header. Town’s second came from Alex Roder managing to control the ball in the box and laying off to Joe Peachey to slot in. With the downhill wind Cribbs struggled to get forward, but did manage one chance with a header striking the bar and over. Cam Anderson was brought down for a Town penalty right on half time with Jamie Goodwin converting. In the second half Town were soon on the score sheet, Roder controlling well then opening his body to lay in Goodwin who slotted in to the bottom corner.

Goodwin made it five for Town after some great attacking play, with Anderson nudging it down for him to convert for his hat-trick. In the last 15 minutes Cribbs applied pressure but couldn’t break the Town defence, and Tewkesbury moved up to second in the table with this 5-0 win.

The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze in the air for Frampton United’s visit to Norton Lane to take on Totterdown United. Not much happened in the first half hour with both teams cancelling each other out, before an early ball played between the Totterdown left back and centre back with Wiltshire getting back to make a tackle on the edge of the box but the Frampton attacker got there first and a penalty was awarded which Hawes tucked away. Right-on half-time Martin made a great save to prevent a Frampton second. The second half began with not much action outside of a few corners and Totterdown made some changes to try and get hold of the game and shots from Price and Saunders were well saved by Kaye and a deep cross from the edge of the box looked to be dropping on Saunders’ head but Kaye got his hand to it. Ten minutes from time Frampton broke and won a corner which wasn’t cleared allowing Halsey to tap in for 2-0. Totterdown’s heads dropped and despite a few more changes Mangan managed to run through without any significant challenge and slotted past Martin for 3-0. A bad day at the office for Totterdown but the do have a game in hand on Cribbs who are just above them.

A bright sunny afternoon at the SGS stadium with a strong swirling wind not helping playing conditions for Bishops Cleeve Development’s trip to play Stoke Gifford SGS United. A fairly even start to the game with 

the first opportunity falling to Gifford’s Matt Harmer whose 15th minute shot was well held by Cam Cheal in the Cleeve goal. Minutes later, however, Solomon Osinuga seized on a mix-up in the Gifford defence to calmly slot home for Cleeve, breaking the deadlock. Gifford stepped up their efforts and enjoyed much the greater possession but were unable to take any advantage until they nearly equalised on the stroke of half-time when Dan Twomey had his effort cleared off the line by Fin Smith. The second half was a one-sided affair from the off. Goals from Archie Tucker and Osinuga in the opening five minutes put Cleeve well in command. Monty New and a Harry Davis double completed a 6-0 rout against a very out of form Gifford team.

Chalford’s outing at Highfield Way against Quedgeley Wanderers ended in a tough 5-1 defeat in a match that ultimately swung on a pivotal red card despite an encouraging start from the hosts. Chalford started the game on the front foot showing early intent and energy that put QW under pressure. However, against the run of play, Quedgeley were awarded a penalty when midfielder Keylock thought he was in goal and the spot kick was converted by Miles and Keylock red-carded.  Quedgeley began to take advantage of numerical superiority and the second half told a different story. Early in this period Quedgeley extended their advantage to 3-0 with Jenner and Stokes scoring before Kerr pulled one back for Chalford briefly offering hope of a comeback which was nearly realised when they struck the crossbar. But, pushing forward left them exposed at the back and they were punished on the counter-attack with Keith making it 4-1. The visitors rounded off the scoring late on through Osabuohien to seal a comprehensive 5-1 victory. The scoreline was rather harsh on Chalford with the self-inflicted red card proving decisive.

By Jon Couch

And with many leagues at Steps 5 and 6 blowing the final whistle on another spell-binding season as early as this afternoon, champions are being crowned left, right and centre.

So, ahead of the midweek action, here’s a quick rundown of who’s already joined the Non-League Roll of Honour for 25/26.

While the nation are left praying they get to witness a historic National League title decider between Rochdale and York City on April 25, the battle for play-off places and to avoid relegation are as good as done.

Sadly, life at Step 1 is all over for Truro City, Braintree Town, Morecambe and Brackley Town, while the final play-off spot is Southend United’s to lose at the expense of FC Halifax Town.

Perennially, National League North and South are ultra-tight affairs and it’s no different this year with promotion places still very much up for grabs in both.

In the North, AFC Fylde and South Shields are slugging it out for the title with no fewer than TWELVE teams still dreaming of success. For relegated Leamington and Peterborough Sports, it’s Step 3 for next season.

The South is equally as competitive with Worthing having leapfrogged a stuttering Dorking Wanderers to take charge with 11 teams harbouring promotion aspirations.

Eastbourne Borough, Enfield Town and Chippenham Town are relegated, with Bath City needing a miracle in order to avoid joining them.

The top of NPL Premier is just as exciting with Hebburn Town, Hednesford Town and FC United of Manchester all vying for title honours with Gainsborough Trinity, Stockton Town and Lancaster City all vying to join Warrington Rylands in the play-offs. In fact it’s so tight, no team is officially relegated at the time of writing.

Folkestone Invicta have been crowned champions of isthmian Premier with Aveley and Billericay Town guaranteed a play-off spot. It’s the end of the line, though, for Canvey Island and Potters Bar Town – their first relegation since 1979!

Southern League Premier Central also has new champions, in Harborough Town, while just three points separates five teams for two play-off spots, to join Spalding United and Real Bedford, seeking a FOURTH successive promotion. It’s farewell, though, to AFC Sudbury, Royston Town and Barwell.

Walton & Hersham impressive waltzed to the Southern League Premier South title – their fourth promotion in six years, from Step 6 to Step 2 – with Gloucester City and Farnham Town, seeking a third straight promotion, guaranteed a play-off spot. Tiverton Town and Hungerford Town slip through the trapdoor.

In the Northern Premier League at Step 4, Redcar Athletic were impressive winners of the East division, racking up over 100 points in the process, Bury FC are seemingly closing in on NPL West success, and Anstey Nomads and Carlton Town are neck-and-neck in a thrilling finale to the Midlands division.

In the Isthmian League, Three Bridges clinched the South East title on Saturday to reach their highest ever level, joining South Central champions Leatherhead on the winners’ rostron. Maldon & Tiptree and Felixstowe & Walton United are producing a thrilling finale to the North.

In the Southern League, Leighton Town wrapped up Division One Central on Saturday, joining Division One South champions Frome Town in Step 3 next term.

Confirmed champions at Steps 5/6 are as follows:

Combined Counties League: Premier South – Cobham FC. Division One – Penn & Tylers Green

Eastern Counties League Premier – Mulbarton Wanderers

Hellenic League Premier – Slimbridge. Division One – FC Stratford

Midland Football League Premier – Hanley Town. Division One - Knowle

North West Counties League First Division North – Nelson. First Division South – Runcorn Town

Northern Counties East League Premier – Liversedge. Division One – Dearne & District

Northern League Division One – Guisborough Town

Southern Combination Division One – Godalming Town

Southern Counties East League Premier – Whitstable Town

Spartan South Midlands League Division One – Everett Rovers

United Counties League Premier North – Boston Town. Premier South – Nuneaton Town. Division One - Retford

Wessex League Premier – AFC Stoneham

Western League Division One – Devizes Town

Come 5pm this afternoon, more champion clubs will be added to this illustrious list with champagne on ice at various locations up and down the country.

It’s the time of year for partying on the terraces, celebrating league or cup glory after a memorable campaign.

Make sure you have a glass on us.

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