Mangotsfield United FC - Pitchero

SPOTLIGHTIn their first season in the Beazer Homes league, Midland division, they finished a creditable fifth afterhaving to start the campaign with a new manager, Steve Fey, and a brand new team. After just oneseason, the club were transferred across to the Southern division, finishing 9 th in 1997/98before being switched back to the Midland division for the 1998/99 campaign. This switchclearly benefited the club as they managed to win the Midland division championship aftera wonderful season in which they also won the Somerset Premier Cup. In their first seasonin the Premier division, Clevedon finished a creditable eighth place and fully settled intothe Dr.Martens league with ambitious plans to develop the ground into a Sports and Socialcomplex to serve the local community. The club sadly suffered relegation back to the WesternDivision at the end of 2000/01, despite winning the Somerset Premier Cup thatseason, and again in 2001/02.An era ended in September 2004, when manager Steve Fey left the club after 11 years incharge and he was replaced by former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United manager, KevinHodges. He, in turn, left the club in October, with Clevedon top of the table, joining YeovilTown, and former Bristol Rovers player & Coach, Phil Bater took over the job,becoming only the club’s fourth manager in 19 years. He completed the job started byHodges and guided the club to the championship and back to the Premier Division.In November 2006, the club played in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first timein their history, losing 1-4 at home to League Two side Chester City before a record attendanceat The Hand Stadium of, 2,261. Manager Bater left at the end of the 2007/08 campaign, afterthe club had reached the final of the Southern League Errea Cup, but had lost to HillingdonBorough, and left the way open for his Assistant, Wayne Powell to take over the reins for2008/09. With several senior players leaving the club and operating on a reduced budget,the club ended the year at the foot of the table and so they then turned to Nick Tucker toavert relegation. This he achieved and many of the side were retained for last season –2009/10 – but as the recession started to bite, the budget was cut again. With theclub struggling against the drop, Nick tendered his resignation in March ’10.Peter Beadle accepted the task of returning to the club for a second spell – he had been brieflyat the club as a Coach under Kevin Hodges. Once a prolific striker with both Bristol Roversand Bristol City, Peter used his experience as Manager with both Taunton Town and NewportCounty, but the financial demands of the job proved too much for the club and at the end of the2009/10 season,, Clevedon were relegated.No history of Clevedon Town would be complete without paying tribute to the Hand family,without whom, the club would not exist today. H.G.HAND (Secretary 1895-1912) and A.W.HAND (Secretary 1918-1968) were followed by DOUG HAND, who retired as Club Presidentat the end of the 1994/95 season after 50 years service to the club, much spent in the sameway as his Father and Grandfather, as Club Secretary. Without theirenthusiasm and hard work over the years, the club would probably not be in the position it isnow andit was only the wisdom of A.W. in buying the Teignmouth Road site, which laid the foundations for thepresent successful club. It was a fitting tribute that the new ground is named THE HAND STADIUMafter them and the families’ service to the club has been recognised by the Football Association.Clevedon Town started the 2010/11 campaign with a new Manager. Ex Bristol City, Wycombe Wanderersand Northampton Town defender MICKY BELL, accepted the task of re-building the side. He assembleda young but inexperienced squad that finished in 20 th place, in their first season back in Division OneSouth & West. In 2011/12, they again came 20 th but it was in cup competitions that Clevedon achievedsuccess. They won the Red Insure Cup, beating Banbury United 2-1 on aggregate and were only narrowlybeaten 2-1, by Weston-super-Mare in the Somerset Premier Cup Final.Last season,we won the Red Insure Cup game here, by 2-1 in late October following an abandoned 3-3draw. In the league we drew 2-2 at the Hand Stadium, and won 4-3 at Cossham Street.FIELD REVIEW - 4