THE efforts of Keynsham Town’s fledgling first team in the first year of the club’s partnership with Total Pro Soccer have sadly gone unrewarded, as the FA saw fit to relegate them to the Toolstation Western League Division One for next season, which starts on July 29.
Despite Bitton, Ashton & Backwell United and Cadbury Heath all having withdrawn from the Premier Division of their own volition either during or after the season ended, and the FA also moving Sherborne Town laterally to the Wessex Premier League for next season, they also felt it was reasonable to relegate the Ks – even though that leaves the Western Premier with an odd number of clubs, with 19 instead of the usual 20.
Ks club secretary Jules French said: “With Bitton having resigned from the Premier Division earlier in the season, thereby filling a ”relegation” place, it was thought that at most one more team would be relegated from that division.
“When we heard as the season concluded that Ashton & Backwell United had resigned from the Western League and Cadbury Heath had requested voluntary relegation in light of the colossal travel costs that all clubs must bear, we were confident that we would be reprieved, despite finishing in 19th place. As such this unjust decision has come as a huge shock and is a real kick in the teeth.
“We knew from day one that this season would be tough, with our young players taking their first steps into adult football. However the application showed by the players and our coaches, Ashley Morgan and Marvin Brown, has been fantastic. I think we will all come back stronger next season and hopefully get our community club back where we belong.”
On a more positive note, Ks Reserves finished their season with an impressive run, winning their last four matches and lifting them up to ninth in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Premier Division table.
The Ks Ladies first team also maintained their status, finishing 10th in the FA Women’s Division One South West.
Off the field, the men’s section held their annual presentation evening in Club @ 22, with the award winners as follows:
Will Sage, first team managers’ player of the year; Henry Njonjo, first team players’ player of the year;
Jemar Thomas, first team golden boot winner; Aaron Childs, reserves managers’ player of the year;
Ed Stowell, reserves players’ player of the year; Aaron Childs, reserves golden boot winner
Pictured, Will Sage, first-team managers’ player of the year, with first-team coaches Marvin Brown, left, and Ashley Morgan