Keynsham players still walk tall after 10 years

KEYNSHAM Town continue to rebuild their squad after the loss of several players.

October was a bleak month with the only fruitful result being a 2-2 draw with Warminster. They have exited both the Les Philips (League) Cup and the Somerset Cup. Their last match was a close encounter with Shirehampton, when a single 95th-minute goal robbed them of a point.

However, new players have been recruited and the club is actively looking to find a new manager, all to enable the club to climb back up the Jewson Western League Division One league table.

There is a succession of local derbies to look forward to – away at Longwell Green Sports on Saturday November 9, followed by Mendip Broadwalk at the AJN Stadium on November 16 and at Bitton on November 23.

The reserves lie in a comfortable mid-table position in the Uhlsport Somerset County League Division One, but will be looking to climb into a promotion place when they face Nailsea and Tickenham Reserves at the AJN Stadium on November 9 and Saltford away on November 16.

The under-18 team continue their Western Counties Floodlit Youth league programme at the AJN on Tuesday November 6 and also play Hengrove Athletic on November 19 and Oldland Abbotonians on November 26 at home.

Keynsham Town Ladies have had successes against local rivals Bristol Rovers, 4-1 in the FA plate and 1-0 in the league, plus a Women’s FA Cup win over AEK Boco. They sit in fifth place in the Women’s National League, South West Division. They were due to have only one home game this month – on November 17 against Abingdon United.

Keynsham Walking Football Club celebrated its 10th anniversary in the AJN Stadium clubhouse on Friday October 11.

The club was formed on August 15, 2014, with members playing on tarmac in Keynsham Park. Seven sturdy players survived the conditions and are still with the club today. Six of the founder members (pictured) received commemorative medals, while a seventh founder member, Dave Young, received his medal the following week.

During the event, Martin Coles and Steve Nicholls were presented with trophies to recognise their work on the committee since the day it was formed and for all the other work they have done for the club. The whole event raised around £200 for good causes.

Pictured, Keynsham Walking Football Club founder members (left to right) Steve Collins, Steve Nicholls, Pete Ricketts, Steve Davis, Martin Coles and Dave Baldwin Photo: Laurence Spicer