18 JULY
NEW HOME FOR THE UNDER 15s
Pitch development work at Hartpury meant that we had to find new home venues for the Under 15 and Under 16 squads for this season. I am delighted to say that the Under 15 squad will be based in Huntley this season. The pitch and facilities are really good and the response we have had from the Huntley officials has been superb.
I have carried out a few trial runs to see how the Over roadworks affect the journey. Getting to the ground the journey was fine. Getting back was a little busier, though not too bad, but we have worked out an alternative route which you can use which works a treat (and is a pretty drive as well!). As soon as I have fathomed out how the scanner works a map will be put up on this site.
For those of you that don't know, the pitch is on your left hand side as you drive through the village from Gloucester. You take a left turn by the pub and you have arrived.
FIRST TEAM FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
This years British Gas Business Southern Football League fixtures have been published and had been added to the First Team fixtures tab which in on the left hand side of this page. All home matches this season will be played at the Corrinium Stadium in Cirencester.
As has been the case in previous years GCAFCYD players are allowed to watch all home league games free of charge. Entry is for the player only and the offer does not apply to cup or pre season matches.
To gain entry the player must produce a players pass. These will be handed out by your Managers as soon as the trials period has come to a close. The gate stewards have been told not to allow entry to anybody without a pass. So, if you loose yours or miss out when they are handed out at training go to the Contact Us link (again on the left hand side of this page) and drop us a line well before the match you want to watch.
City missed the play off's by a whisker last year and played some superb football. This coming season should be a cracker and we hope to see as many of you as possible at the Corrinium.
FA CUP AND FA TROPHY
The draw for this years competitions has been made. In the FA Cup City have been drawn away to either Chalfont St Peter or Ardley United. In the FA Trophy we have been drawn away to Bromsgrove Rovers.
UNDER 14 PRE SEASON MATCHES
Details of these matches are now on the fixtures page of this site.
LEAGUE FIXTURES
We hope these will be published in the next week or so. Watch this space!
PARENTS EVENINGS
These will be held again this season to allow us to introduce the club to those who are joining us for the first time this season and to answer any questions you may have. We will also use this opportunity to hand out the latest versions of the Code of Conduct and Standing Order forms. No decison has been made yet on the subscription costs for this coming season, mainly as we are waiting to hear from the Lague as to the amount of games we will be playing this year. We are all very aware that prices are going up and up and with this in mind every effort is being made to try and keep the subscriptions to at least the same level as last season. David Miller, Club Treasurer, is very hopeful that this can be achieved.
14 JULY
NEW GROUND?
Details of the clubs response to today's story about the proposed new Sports Hub in the South of the City can be found on http://www.gloucestercityafc.com/
FIRST TEAM RESULT
The result of tonights pre season friendly held on behalf of ex City player Dave Wilkinson was Cinderford Town 1 City 1.
13 JULY
UNDER 18 PRE SEASON MATCHES
Details of the Under 18's pre season matches have been added to the fixtures and results page.
9 JULY
NEW PHOTO IN THE GALLERY
A photo of last seasons U16 squad has been added to the gallery. If you have any GCAFCYD photos past or present that you could share please get in touch via the 'Contact Us' tab. We would be very pleased to hear from you.
UNDER 12 PRE SEASON MEETING THIS FRIDAY
The first of this seasons players and parents evenings takes place on Friday at Plock Court starting at 19.00.
6 JULY
SUMMER IS OVER!
The website has had it's summer rest and should now be carrying regular updates until....next summer!
NOT QUITE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS BUT ALMOST
Congratulations to all involved in the Under 12 squad (now U13) for reaching the semi finals of the JSSI International Cup. If anybody has any photos that can be shared on the Site please get in touch.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW RECRUITS
The main trials for next seasons new U12 squad have been completed. Many congratulations to all those who have been invited back, we hope you and your parents ' guardians will enjoy your time at Gloucester City.
HOME VENUES
Pitch work at Hartpury means that we have had to find new homes for the U15 and U16 squads for the coming season. I am delighted to be able to let you know that the U16 squad will be playing at Longlevens FC next season. They have a great set up and have already given us a warm welcome. Our thanks to all associated with Longlevens for making this happen.
We have a meeting this week which we hope will allow us to announce the venue for the U15 squad. The 12,13 and 14's will be at The Spa and the U18's will be based at Harrow Hills FC.
SPONSORSHIP
Details of the clubs annual sponsors draw can be found on the main site http://www.gloucestercityafc.com/. Please take a look and see if you can help
PRE SEASON MATCHES
Details of the First Team pre seson matches have been added to this site. Home this year is at the Corrinium Stadium in Cirencester. These matches are all pay so there will be no free entry allowed to GCAFCYD players and officials.
CHANGES AT THE TOP
Gloucester City have announced a restructuring of their football management team as they 
prepare for the coming campaign in the British Gas Business Premier 
Division.
Manager Tim Harris is to step into the role of General Manager due to business commitments, with David Mehew becoming first team Manager, assisted by Adie Harris. Explaining the move Harris commented "there was no need for wholesale changes, but it is about ensuring that we can move this club forward. Its about continuity and development of an already strong management team. It also offers flexibility - for instance Dave has a pre-existing period away during the pre-season, and we have already agreed that I will simply step back into the front line for that period to help maintain progress towards the season proper."
Chairman Dave Phillips said ' It is just as important to have a solid club structure as to have a successful team, and it is a positive development that should help us progress. I believe we need to be fighting fit for our eventual return to the City, when that day comes. This change helps Tim, and we are delighted that he remains committed to the club. This also presents an excellent opportunity for David and Adie. I'm sure that everyone at City wishes them all well in this challenge.
10 JUNE
JSSI INTERNATIONAL CUP
City have been invited to enter two Under 12 squads into this top local 5 a side tournament which takes place on the 22nd June. Amongst our opponents are sides representing
FDS Northampton, Cardiff City, Plymouth, EFC Berlin ( Germany ) and Lake Oswego Soccer Club ( USA ). Come on you Tigers!!
2 JUNE
NEW VENUE FOR UNDER 18's NEXT SEASON
We are delighted to be able to confirm that next season the Under 18 squad will be based at Harrow Hill Football Club. As you will know we played a few games at their ground last season and the feedback received from players, coaches and parents alike was that they enjoyed the visits. David Miller attended the Harrow Hill AGM and was delighted to come away with the green light from their Committee. As an aside Harrow Hill will be playing in the Helenic Premier again next season
PRIZE PRESENTATION
Your webmaster was unable to attend the club presentation evening last week and so unfortunately cannot produce a full report for this website, though he understands that everybody enjoyed the evening. The Players Players awards for the Under 15 and 18 squads were announced. Winner of the Under 15 award is a young man whose talent has attracted interest from the First Team. He made history earlier on in the season when becoming the youngest ever person to play for the club. I refer of course to Callum Preece. Finally, the winner of the Under 18 award has already become a firm favorite with the fans who follow the First Team. A defender by trade but no mean goalscorer either, the winner of the award was Matt Sysum.
CITIZEN
Reports and photos for the Under 12,13 and 14 presentations were sent to the Citizen for publication some weeks ago. Hopefully they will appear in print soon.
NIGEL HUGHES
GCAFCYD are pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel Hughes to the back room team. Nigel, an Executive Director of the club will be replacing David Miller as the link between the youth set up and the main Board. His initial focus will be on securing Chartered Standard status for the club. Nigel has a background in youth football having a long association with Churchdown Panthers.
MAY 26 (BANK HOLIDAY)
CRICKET MATCH OFF
The cricket match scheduled for today has been postponed.
MAY 24
CRICKET MATCH V GLOUCESTER CITY WINGET
Gloucester City Winget play Gloucester City FC at The Spa on Monday in the second annual Glynn Picton Memorial Match (2pm).Tim Harris, Ken Blackburn, Kev Willetts, Shayne Bradley, Kev Sawyer, Jamie Reid, Tom Webb, Jody Bevan, Adie Harris, Matt Sysum, Lee Randall, Alex Allard and Marc Richards will be among the City players.
Please come along if you can not only to support the Tigers, but also the Cricket Club who as hosts of our U12,13 and 14 sides are great supporters of our football club.
MAY 23
UNDER 14s PRESENTATION EVENING
Gloucester City Under 14’s celebrated their successful season at The Spa last night. In the opening speech , Youth Development Director Kenny Blackburn paid tribute to the hard work put in by the players who, as a group, had continued to develop and improve throughout the year. He noted that next year, the demands on the players would increase with Under 15 football being even more competitive, and that it was important the players strived to improve their fitness levels still further to allow them the opportunity to make the best use of the footballing talent they all have. Kenny went onto recognise the hard work and determination of Manager Darren Manley and Coach Nick Houston who have done a tremendous job this season. Finally, Kenny asked that the players join him in giving the parents and guardians a warm round of applause for all the help they had given throughout the season.
Darren Manley also paid tribute to the support he had received all season from the parents. He went onto thank the players for their efforts during the year noting that if he had been told at the start of the season the team would finish in 5th place he would have been happy to accept it. However, in hindsight he thought the team could have achieved a higher placing noting that they had beaten two of the sides that finished above them home and away. He pointed to a run of poorer results over the Christmas period, which was exacerbated by a run of injuries, as the obstacle that stopped the lads climbing higher in the table. Darren went onto thank his Coach, Nick, and Secretary Kerry Johnson, for their hard work during the season. He also made reference to those players who had been asked to trials at West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City.
Darren announced that the winner of the Players Player award was Greg Rutsch who unfortunately was unable to be present on the night as he was on holiday. Darren commented that Greg joined the Tigers as a midfield player and in this, his first season playing ‘up front’ he had finished highest scorer in the club and attracted interest from a Premiership side. Certificates were then handed out to all the players, each one of whom was given a warm round of applause when they stepped up to the top table to collect their award.
Finishing the proceedings Youth Development Co-ordinator David Miller also thanked the parents and guardians for their support during the year noting that without them it would not have been possible for the players to have achieved so much. He noted that illness prevented Kerry Johnson from attending the presentation evening in person, but he wanted to pay tribute to all the hard work she had put in as Secretary over the last three seasons. In recognition of her efforts the club had purchased her a bouquet of flowers and a thank you gift, which Darren would be presenting her with later that evening. Although she was not able to hear it, the players and parents gave Kerry a loud round of applause. Turning to the players, David said that he had really enjoyed watching the brand of football they played, saying that he would have been happy to pay to watch some of the matches. He noted that the Midland Junior Premier League was fast becoming the number one League not only in the Midlands but in the surrounding area and that for the team to have performed so well in such tough competition was a credit to them all, though as he noted, there was still a lot of hard work still to be done.
The Club would like to thank Gloucester City Wingate Cricket Club and in particular Ian Collinson for hosting the Under 12 and Under 14 presentsations.
STANDING ORDERS
The Standing Orders were set up to collect eight subscription payments this season, less for those players who joined mid way through the season. When the last payment has been made the Bank should switch the Standing Order off automatically. You do not have to contact the Bank. If by the off chance a Standing Order continues beyond the eight payments the club will pick this up and will contact you.
MAY 17
UNDER 13s END OF SEASON CELEBRATIONS
Gloucester City Under 13’s held their end of season presentation night at Plock Court. Youth Development Director Kenny Blackburn opened proceedings commenting on how well the team had performed in the Midland Junior Premier League, the most competitive youth league in the area. He congratulated Coach Keith Hardcastle on all his work during the season and paid tribute to the parents and carers who have been so supportive of the players. Youth Development Co-ordinator, David Miller, echoed the comments made by Kenny noting that in recent weeks Gloucester City youth players had been watched by several Premiership and Football League sides. David also paid tribute to the excellent work carried out during the season by Secretary Lin Martin who he described as being one of the hardest workers in the club.
Keith Hardcastle praised his players for their endeavours during the season, highlighting the performance against top side Redditch United as one of the best performances of the season and on several occasions made reference to the attractive brand of passing football that his players were able to produce. He went onto thank Colin Dodds and John King for their help during the season and echoed Kenny Blackburn’s comments about the excellent support received from the parents and carers. In his closing remarks Keith commented on how he was looking forward to the next season, mentioning that the players would find Under 14 football even more competitive and stressing the importance of keeping fitness levels high which, if achieved, would allow the players the chance to make the best use of the skills and talent they possess.
Lin Martin and a group of players took the stage to offer their thanks to Keith and to present him with some gifts in recognition of his efforts during the season. The club also made a presentation of a bouquet of flowers to Lin.
It was then the turn of the players to come up and collect their certificates and awards for the season. As each player stepped up he was greeted with a warm round of applause from both the parents and his team mates. The final presentation was players player of the year. In making the presentation Keith noted that the award was voted for by the players themselves and to win it was a great achievement. He went onto say that the winner, Jake Underwood, had joined the team at the start of the season and had made a great impression during the season and was a worthy winner of the award.
Some photos taken on the night are in the gallery section of the site
MAY 13
LAST RESULT OF THE SEASON
After a season that has thrown us so many problems and challenges, it was perhaps written in the stars that the clubs last game of 2007 / 08 would not be a straight forward affair. 20 minutes into the first half of the City v Malvern Under 18 game a Malvern player collapsed clutching his leg
and the game had to be stopped while an ambulance was called to treat the young man and move him safely from the pitch. At the time of writing we have not heard how he is but if anybody from Malvern is reading this, please be sure to pass on our best wishes for a speedy recovery. After
a long delay and with no possibility of being able to abandon the match and replay at a later date - the season ends on Saturday and our visitors still have one more game to play, it was all hands to the league rule book and it was agreed to play 30 minutes each way. To the credit of both sets of
players, despite the injury, when the game started, no quarter was asked or given and the good size crowd enjoyed an interesting match which saw City retain their unbeaten run at Harrow Hill with a 2-1 win.
Our thanks are due to the officials at Harrow Hill for making us so welcome over the last few weeks. I know that a lot of people really enjoyed their visit to what for many was a new ground and enjoyed not only the friendly atmosphere but the unique surroundings.
MAY 10
UNDER 12s PRIZE PRESENTATION
Gloucester City Under 12’s held their end of season prize presentation at The Spa. The players had plenty to celebrate having finished runners up in what is widely acknowledged as being one of the most competitive junior leagues in the Midlands.
coach, Shayne Bradley paid tribute to his players and the way they have improved both as individuals and as a team throughout the season. He said that he thought that the away performance at champions Kidderminster Harriers was the highlight of the season. Shayne also expressed his thanks to Match Day Secretary Andy Peyton and the parents for all the help they have given during the year and said how much he was looking forward to the challenges that Under 13 football will bring next season. Youth Development Director Kenny Blackburn paid tribute to rookie coach Shayne Bradley and his comments about the excellent job Shayne has done this season drew warm applause from both parents and players. Thanks were also extended to Gloucester City Wingate Cricket club for the excellent facilities they provide and David Miller for all the work he does behind the scenes. Team Captain Keiran Squires thanked his team mates for their attitude and determination both at matches and during training.
Each player was then invited to come and collect a certificate and trophy to mark their successful season. Every player was greeted with cheers and warm applause from both team mates and parents alike, an indication of the close bond the team have formed during the season. A special presentation of a silver salver was made by the parents to Shayne and bottles of wine were presented to Andy Peyton. Highlight of the evening was the presentation of the players player award which this season went to Nathan Dennis, a popular young man whose consistent performances in goal this season made him a worthy winner.
With the formal part of the evening over many of the players and parents opted to enjoy a beautiful balmy summer evening in the grounds at The Spa which really is an oasis of calm in the middle of the City. While some players and parents enjoyed an impromptu game of football others opted to watch the day come to a close in conversation with the many new friends that have been made this season, an enjoyable end to what has been an enjoyable and successful season.
Some photos from the evening and this years team photo have been added to the gallery
DANNY AND ROSS
Those of you who read the Citizen will have read that Danny Gittings and Ross Langworthy have been for the excellent work they have done at Abbeymead Rovers. Danny plays for our Under 18s and Ross the Under 15's. On behalf of GCAFCYD I would like to congratulate both of them for this well deserved tribute. The following is an extract from The Citizen.
'Ross Langworthy, 15, and Daniel Gittings, 16, are absolute heroes to the young footballers they coach in Abbeymead.Four years ago, they took over the under eight squad at Abbeymead Rovers Football Club when there was an influx of players and no coaches. The team was losing every game but Brockworth Enterprise School pupil Ross, who has trained at the Aston Villa Academy and now plays for Gloucester City FC's under 15s, and Hartpury College student Daniel, who was in Cheltenham Town's youth squad, turned things around. They have helped the team go from strength to strength, winning the Fair Play Cheltenham Youth League award after two seasons. They created teams for players who may not have made it into other sides with the philosophy that everybody deserves a game. Daniel said: "We've gone from losing by eight or 10 goals every game to winning three games this season - we're both very proud of that achievement."