A warm welcome to Arnall Drive to the players, spectators, and management team of this afternoon’s visitors Filton Athletic.

Following 5 consecutive win last Saturday saw the 1sr team make the long journey to Bishops Cleeve Reserves the other side of Cheltenham Unfortunately the holiday traffic meant preparations were delayed with one player arriving after kick-off and 2-3 others very late. Understandably the 1^st half was a write off with us being 3-1 down after forgetting how to play on 3G, the 2nd half was completely different and we should have got a result, however, ended up losing 3-2. Here’s hoping we can go on another unbeaten run in the not-too-distant future.

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’

Regards

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Kick Off 3pm (2pm Nov to Feb)

Kick Off 3pm (2pm Nov to Feb)

TODAY'S MATCHES

Bromley Heath Utd v Tewkesbury Town

Chalford v Bishops Cleeve Dev

Cribbs Res v Stoke Gifford SGS Utd

Hanham Athletic v Tytherington Rocks

Henbury & Rockleaze v Filton Athletic

Quedgeley Wanderers v Broadwell Amateurs

Ruardean Hill Rangers v Totterdown United

WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO

PAY FINES, LOSE YOUR LICENCE

OR EVEN YOUR CAR

Filton Athletic FC are a long-standing amateur football club based in the North of Bristol. We started out as St. Andrews Meth back in the 1960's, then changed to Filton Athletic FC in 1986.

We are currently made up of two adult football teams who both play regularly on a Saturday afternoon

.

Our first team compete in the Marcliff Gloucestershire County Football League, having been promoted as Champions from the Bristol & Suburban Premier Division in 2023-24. They play their home games at Pen Park Sports Ground.

Our Reserve team compete in the Bristol & Suburban Senior Division, and they play their home games at Elm Park, having returned in 2023 after 2 years of development work at the ground.

In 2023 we established the Filton Athletic FC Youth Team, which consists of U7, U8, U9, U10, U11 and YDS.

Player Profiles

Tom Bradley – Goalkeeper

Tower joined us last season after two extremely successful seasons with Avonmouth, bringing experience at both Gloucester County League and Weston League levels. A huge presence on and off the pitch, match winner but a pathetic drinker.

Jack Cole (Captain) – Defender

Rolls Royce. Quick, aggressive, physical, fit, long range passing and a leader. Transitioned from Midfield last season and has been a revelation. Loves a moan.

Jack Willmor (vice-captain) - Defender

Cafu of the County league. Defending 1 on 1, can’t remember any winger going past him. Loves an overlap but wingers tend to look the other way because of his crossing. Close to GOTS last year with a wordie volley.

Chris Hillyer - Defender

New bloke not so new. The modern day centre half. Great on the ball, quick, strong, technically brilliant, free kick specialist and missis is fit.

Joe Mitchell - Defender

Mr consistent. Technically gifted with both feet. Can defend and attack. Brilliant attitude but unfortunately supports Villa.

Kieran Daniels - Defender/Midfielder

Another leftie. Football IQ outstanding, can play LB, CB, CM, LW. Strong, quick and outstanding delivery out wide. Now loved up with new bird.

Tom Fry - Defender

Should be playing 2 leagues higher but unfortunately for his sins he works in the public sector. Played for Mangotsfield with the gaffer many years ago, outstanding attitude, can do pretty much anything on the football pitch. Clas act.

Dan Matthews - Defender/Midfielder

Every opponents nightmare. Will not stop running, tough, strong, technically excellent. Can play all positions and loves a 50/50. Live wire on the pitch and just as mad off it.

PLAYER PROFILES continued

Callum Mitchell - Midfielder

Dynamic Midfield presence. Ball winner, loves a tackle and never backs down when it gets tough. Loves popping up with important goals, but unfortunately supports Villa like his brother.

Fraser Venables - Midfielder

Left foot wand and his right foot is just as good. Creativity, vision and awareness off the charts just unfortunate he can’t replicate on a night out. Can play in the 10 or either wing. Loves as assist as much as a goal.

Charlie Peacock - Midfielder

Coming from the reserves last year, Char has been a breath of fresh air. Seriously talented Midfielder who can play anywhere. Not a great roomie on tour though

Liam Dorman - Midfielder

The Rat. Will not let opponents breath. Committed, explosive and thrives in a 50/50. Technically very good and loves a wordie. Important leader on and off the pitch.

Dylan Quick - Midfielder

New signing from our friends at DRG. Fits in perfect to the way we want to play this season, aggressive, quick, technically gifted, box to box midfielder. Pleased to get the ‘banning of the three brooks on a Friday night’ signed into the contract.

Matt Tovey – Midfield

New summer signing. Matt is recovering from a long knee injury. When fit ‘Tovey’ will be a serious player in the league. Both footed, amazing in the air and loves a challenge. Baller and the longest in the showers.

PLAYER PROFILES Continued

Yusuf Abdulrahman - Midfielder

Box to box midfielder. Doesn’t stop running from minute one, robotic like. Has all the attributes to be a top player when he manages to turn up on time.

Fabian Pereira - Forward

Skilful attacking player who can operate from both flanks. Technically very good and always makes an impact on the game.

Kieran Cooper - Forward

Big number 9. Aerial presence, back to goal, work rate, loves pinning defenders and is any opponents nightmare. Can be as loud on the pitch as off it. Great character to have in any team.

Said Hassan - Forward

Quick, skilful, agile and loves taking on defenders. Can play down both wings and as an attacking full back. Guaranteed at least 20 nutmegs this season.

Dan Payne – Forward

Another Summer Signing and another left footed wizard. ‘Payner’ has played leagues above in the past but unfortunately suffered a bad knee injury. Now fit and ready to go. Unfortunately can just about hack 4 Stella’s.

Trey Merrett - Forward

Goals, Goals, Goals. Direct, blistering pace and can shoot off his left and right. Can play down either wing or as a striker and will score. The best player to ever come out of Lawrence Weston.

By Jon Couch 22/12/25

FORTY-FOUR years on from his debut TV appearance on a BBC1 news report, Tony Incenzo is closing in on fulfilling a lifetime dream.

As a fresh-faced Queens Park Rangers superfan, it was a trip to local club Hendon which ignited the teenager’s love for the Non-League game.

Fast forward four decades and Tony’s fire burns fiercer than ever and a quite incredible feat draws near.

Tony’s teenage dream to watch a match at every Non-League ground in the country is now incredibly just SIX visits away from being completed – and 2026 is finally the year he intends to fulfil it.

With grounds on all four corners of the UK (and even beyond) all ticked off, the ultimate groundhopper – a bi-weekly columnist for The NLP - can now look forward to trip to Blyth Town, Elburton Villa, Ilminster Town, Fulwood Amateurs, Sunderland West End and Albion Sports/Route One Rovers (groundshare) to complete the card.

Tony’s aim is to visit all six grounds by April – at least until the promoted sides from Step 7 enter the National League System to add a few more to the tally. It really is a never-ending feat.

Last month, Tony completed another page of his giant log book where he has handwritten details of every one of the 5,780 football matches he has attended since his first admission in 1971.

In this week’s NLP, in the shops, and online, as usual this Sunday, Tony looks back on a myriad of amazing adventures watching 70 Non-League matches throughout 2025.

Having travelled from Dublin, down to Cornwall and all the way up to Northumberland, Tony reveals his top 10 highlights for the second half of 2025 in date order to follow on from his NLP column from May.

Tony tells of his visit to his native Ireland to watch the FA of Ireland Cup, the last Cornish ground off his checklist and a trip to the Fylde Coast in the Isuzu FA Vase with a vociferous welcome.

He also took in the UK’s first private football academy and a Midland Football League match abandoned in the first half due to high winds.

And find out also how Steven Gerrard managed a name check on his travels.

In 2026, The NLP will be there every step of the way as Tony looks to chalk off his last remaining six grounds, while the ever-popular Diary of a Groundhopper and our Hopping Poet, Chris Towers, will continue to give their own individual takes on the life of a Non-League football fan.

Like Tony and the rest, we’re Hopping Mad for the Non-League and remain  committed to bringing you unrivalled coverage again in 2026.

Happy New Year to you all.

AS NO ARTICLE PRODUCED THIS WEEK, THE ABOVE ARTICLE, WAS ONE PROVIDED ON 22/12/25

BOXING DAY

Over 200 spectators were at the Boxing Day derby in the Forest with Broadwell coming out on top. Sharpness regained top spot from Tewkesbury Town who weren’t in action. The bottom four are starting to come adrift of the rest with Ruardean Hill and Totterdown six points behind Tytherington and three points ahead of Hanham and Cribbs.

At the Ruardean Rec. Ruardean Hill Rangers took on Broadwell Amateurs in the Boxing Day derby and both teams were weighing each other up for the first ten minutes and on fifteen minutes it was Broadwell’s attack that created some space out wide but there was nobody in the box to make contact with the cross, and straight after Hill with a long free kick saw Fin Jones with a free strike at goal but his shot was pulled wide. A long throw from Broadwell’s Jack Knight saw Ethan Dunscombe flick the ball at the front post against Underwood’s crossbar and a minute later Ruardean Hill’s Steve Clark was free in the box but his shot was brilliantly saved by Jack Watkins. Right on half time the ball dropped to Kris Barnard who smashed it into the top corner to give Broadwell the lead. Into the second half Ruardean Hill’s Luke Brown found a bit of space 25 yards out and let fly shooting narrowly wide. On the hour Broadwell should have gone two up after a great run from Jamie Belfitt teed up Dunscombe but he swept over from close range. On 70 minutes Tom Landon tried his luck from distance but was narrowly wide and despite Ruardean Hill’s attempt to find an equaliser Broadwell saw out the rest of the game for a 1-0 win.

SATURDAY 27 DECEMBER

Totterdown United welcomed Sharpness on a cold windy day at the Bristol Barbarians RFC for the final game of 2025. The wind made it difficult for both sides and it was a fairly scrappy, but end to end, first half. Sharpness would build an attack which was well defended by Totterdown for them to try and exploit space on the counter with good bursting runs from Frank Tobin. Sharpness started the second half the brighter of the two sides, apparently after receiving the hairdryer treatment during the break, but this was thwarted by Connor Flicker whose free kick was deflected and wind assisted and looped over Pete Dykes head for 1-0 to Totterdown, this led to him needing treatment for an injury or embarrassment, nobody was sure! Sharpness gained control and possession and with ten minutes remaining Bryant pounced on a ball that dropped between the defence and keeper Martin and toed it in for 1-1. Then, in the 97th minute Totts Ollie Lovell had a shot superbly saved by Dykes. But it wasn’t over, with everyone waiting for the final whistle Sharpness gained a corner which was cleared only to be put back across the goal and there was Ben Hemmings to scuff and squeeze the ball over the line for a 105th minute winner for Sharpness leaving Totterdown feeling a little hard done by

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It was a tight game at Hardwicke where Tytherington Rocks hosted Quedgeley Wanderers in perfect winter conditions, both teams up for the game after the short Christmas break. The first half was a well contested with neither team able to make a breakthrough, although a good save from Rocks keeper Luke Baker kept them in the game. 

The second half was much the same until the 78th minute when a mix up in the Tytherington defence left a tap in for Marszalek to give QW the lead. Tytherington pushed for an equaliser but were hit on the break in the 91st minute with Osabuohien doubling Quedgeley’s lead for 2-0 and three points.

A longish trip for Henbury & Rockleaze to Kayte Lane to take on Bishops Cleeve Development. Cleeve opened up a windy event with a goal after only 37 seconds following a ball dummied by New for the oncoming Cuzner to slot home. The opening exchanges continued in the same fashion with Cleeve pushing forward to add more. It was, however, H&R who scored with a superb solo goal by Jones who proceeded to dance past five Cleeve players. The half didn’t change in momentum with Cleeve pressing for more goals. Following chances for Ellerton and Davis, the latter put the hosts back ahead with a brilliantly slotted goal. Two quickly became three with Debonis latching onto New’s headed flick beating keeper Trett to slot home. The second half was less eventful than the first and for all Cleeve’s bluster they couldn’t find another goal to put the game out of sight. The only real event of the second half was a goal for H&R with Sawdon scoring from a poorly cleared free kick late in the game. This did set up a nervy finish for Cleeve but they held on for a vital three points and a 3-2 win.

Bromley Heath United and Stoke Gifford SGS United had to contend with a swirling wind and bobbly pitch at Pomphrey Hill. Gifford got to grips with the difficult conditions much better in the early stages. 

They looked much more dangerous and were almost rewarded for their efforts on 15 minutes when a move ended with a close range shot from Guiseppe La Porta well saved by Ferguson. But, within a few minutes Gifford’s Dan Twomey pounced on a poor Bromley clearance to deservedly take the lead. The rest of the half played out with few clear-cut chances with Gifford continuing to be the dominant side.Bromley’s team management obviously had words as they came out for the second half all guns blazing and looking a different team.  Harley Lock hitting the crossbar with a great effort after cutting inside. It wasn’t long before Bromley forced a deserved equaliser when a clever corner kick from Ollie Hanham seemed to go straight in for 1-1. It was now all Bromley and they took the lead on 65 minutes when a well-placed free kick on the edge of the area completely wrong-footed Jack Sheppard in the Stoke goal. Bromley continued to apply pressure with a succession of corners and attacking moves and took a 3-1 lead on 75 minutes, Stoke Gifford pulled a goal back when they were awarded a penalty which Pat Kosciolek converted. But Bromley wrapped the win up five minutes from time with a goal from Waldron.

At Vicarage Road Hanham Athletic took on Wick who won the game 3-1. Hanham started the brighter days of the two teams and took the lead on 12 minutes when Mikey Golding latched on to a ball over the top and snatched it into the top corner. Wick equalised on 25 minutes with an absolute stunner from Bailey Rudge. Wick went ahead on 30 minutes when Hanhams defence stood still and allowed George Lloyd a free run on goal to finish well past Taylor Lloyd could have made it 3-1 just after half time but Dave Taylor saved well when one on one. Hanham missed a great chance to equalise to on 55 minutes but Morgan Stryjewski somehow missed the ball from 5 yards out after a great knockout by Paul Coles. It was 3-1 on 75 minutes a cross from the right was knocked down and despite Jay Viles best efforts to block a shot Louis Short got up to smash the ball home.

In the Les James League Cup, quarter-final action took place at the Hardwicke Playing Fields with Tytherington Rocks on the back of a poor run of form playing an in-form Filton Athletic. Tytherington started well and put pressure on Filton and in the thirteenth minute a perfectly placed Stuart Nelson free kick was met by the head of Connor Davey who powered it beyond the towering Thomas Bradley. Tytherington continued to build on their good start but couldn’t find a second goal. Debutant Rocks keeper Jordan Schofield made a brilliant save by tipping the ball over from an attempted lob, and then Filton had the ball off the post from a header. The second half continued in the same vein but no further goals came and it is Tytherington Rocks who progress to the semis 1-0.

A welcome break in the weather greeted Frampton United to the Nest to face Wick in what proved to be a competitive Les James League cup game. The opening exchanges saw both teams test each other as the game swung from end to end. However, neither keeper was called into action until the 20th minute when a goal bound shot from Wick’s Bayley Rudge was brilliantly saved by Tom Kaye diving high to his top left corner. The game continued with both teams committed to the challenge and each looking for the elusive opening. On 30 minutes a perfectly delivered Frampton free kick was met by a head which bounced off the Wick post and safely into the hands of Mason Hawkins. As the half came to an end Wick’s Cory Langdon had his break extended with a ten-minute sin bin. Wick saw the sin bin period out without incident and on 65 minutes great play from Wick put George Lloyd through on goal and with just Kaye to beat he was caught in two minds and fired tamely at him. Frampton enjoyed the majority of possession but failed to get past a dogged defence. As the game neared its end a great snap shot by Wick’s Tommy Lacy was again well saved by Kaye and goalless the game finished. And so, onto penalties which saw Frampton ease past Wick 4-3 as they look to retain possession of the Les James Cup.

By Matt Badcock Editor, The Non-League Paper

THERE are eras and then there are Eras with a capital E.

Alan Devonshire’s Maidenhead United reign certainly falls into the latter. After 913 games, the legendary West Ham United FA Cup winner called time on his Magpies Era last weekend.

The 69-year-old has managed close to 1,500 matches across his career in the dug-out that started at Maidenhead where they won promotion to the Isthmian Premier in 2000, before eight years at Hampton & Richmond, who he guided from Isthmian South to the Conference South play-offs.

Four years at Braintree Town – fresh from promotion to Non-League’s top flight – followed and his Iron defied the odds to survive and upset the big boys.

In May 2015 the ex-England star made the trip back to York Road and, as underdogs again, took them to National League South title glory where they too made their mark at the top table.

Sean Marks, who played for Devonshire at Braintree and Maidenhead, can picture his former boss stood on the side of training before a big game, cup of tea in one hand, chocolate digestive in the other.

“We could be playing a really top, top professional team – a Stockport County, a Luton or any other big team – and you can imagine him looking at the boys thinking, ‘It’s alright, we’ve got this covered on Saturday’,” he told The NLP. “It was that mentality. Knowing the team he’s got will do the business and he had every trust in his team to do it.

“I think that sums him up about right. Old school, with a great sense of humour and winning in the new form of football.”

Dave Tarpey is another player who knows Devonshire very well and benefited from his methods.

The 1980 FA Cup winner gave him his big chance at Hampton & Richmond Borough, with the pair later reunited at Maidenhead after Tarpey had initially joined the Magpies in 2014.

In three years under Devonshire, Tarpey netted 87 goals in 124 appearances for the Magpies, including a league and club record 44 goals to help Maidenhead to promotion in the 2016-17 season.

“I remember a number of trips away on coaches where he will say he’ll get you some protein food before the match and then he’d go and get us protein pizzas as a pre-match meal,” Tarpey said.

“I remember a few away journeys as well where we had to stop at a certain restaurant because he wanted his ham, egg and chips before the game!”

Sam Barratt was at Maidenhead when Devonshire re-joined and has signed for him two more times since.

Fittingly, he scored the final goal of Dev’s reign in their win over Chippenham, borrowed a flat cap from a fan in the crowd and saluted the boss.

“He’s been very loyal to me and that can be rare in football,” Barratt said. “It comes from honesty from both sides. He’s repaid it with a lot of loyalty and I respect that a lot.

“Seeing where Maidenhead was as a club when I signed aged 18 to where it is now, it’s almost unrecognisable – a lot of that is due to him – as well as the community side expanding. That comes hand-in-hand with the club growing, being promoted and sustaining their time in the National League.”

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