Derby Dislikes - 4th March

Fairford manager Tommy Dryden has become the second boss in recent times to voice his dislike of local derbies to the Swindon Advertiser, ahead of the visit of Highworth this weekend.

But although Dryden may not be keen on clashing with other local sides, he is in a positive frame of mind despite Fairford’s lowly position in the Hellenic League Premier Division. “Personally I’m not a big fan of derbies because they are either dire games, or all incident and no football,” revealed the boss. “But the football we’ve been playing recently has been really, really good and we just need to get that draw or that win.”

The manager is hoping to give a debut to BBC Wiltshire sports reporter Chris Wise, but the striker’s involvement is dependant on whether he recovers from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Dryden has also recently signed left-sided midfielder Tristan Bourne, who the boss sees as one for the future

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Every Game Tough For Us - 29th October

Tommy Dryden believes every game in the Hellenic League Premier Division is tough for his Fairford Town side at the moment, regardless of their opponents.

Fairford are bottom of the table following a win-less start to the season and the recently appointed Cinder Lane chief freely admits he knows little about Wantage Town, who his team play on their own turf tomorrow, but is confident the Alfredians will provide a stern test of his side’s mettle.

Commenting in the Swindon Advertiser Dryden said. “I’ve been about in the Hellenic Division One and I know what sort of teams are in there, but I don’t know much about Wantage, obviously it’s going to be a hard game because they all are when you’re down the bottom, but we’ll have a positive attitude and we’ll try and get something out of the game. We do play some real decent football but we need to play that over 90 minutes and not just in spurts.”

Dryden Appointed Fairford Manager - 21st October

Fairford Town Football announce the appointment of Tom Dryden as the club’s new first team manager together with Paul Braithwaite as assistant manager.

Dryden (right) was recently manager at Western League side Devizes Town and had previously held similar posts at Malmesbury Victoria and Corsham Town. He will undoubtedly bring a wealth of experience to Cinder Lane and will take charge of the team for the first time at Ardley United this weekend in the Hellenic Premier Division.

Braithwaite had previously been reserve team manager at Cricklade Town and also worked with Highworth Town U18s. He holds numerous FA coaching qualifications and it is hoped both he and Dryden will form a strong management team. Fairford Town FC President, Mike Tanner, commented: “We welcome both Tom and Paul to the club and hope the combination of experience of enthusiasm will help the team away from the bottom of the division. Saturday’s fixture at table-topping Ardley United will certainly be a baptism of fire, but everyone at the club is fully committed to moving forward and working towards retaining a Premier Division place this season.”

Tanner also added words of thanks to caretaker boss Mark Webb, who stepped into the breach to take charge of the last three first team games. “Following the resignation of Richard Hadgkiss and subsequently Andy Wilson, the club were left seeking short-term cover and Mark, with some 14 years history with Fairford Town as both a player and manager, had no hesitation when asked to assist in taking the temporary role. Mark once again showed the sort of commitment that has typified his performance on and off the field with the club and does great credit to him.”

Football A Results Business - 1st October

There can be few in the Hellenic who appreciate that more than Richard Hadgkiss, who quit as Fairford Town boss two days ago.

The 39-year-old took over from previous manager John Paget at the end of February, and kept the Cinder Lane side in the Hellenic League Premier Division by the skin of their teeth in 2009/10.

But this campaign has seen Fairford fail to pick up a single win in nine league games, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table, and it is this disappointing run of results that made up Hadgkiss' mind to end his seven-month tenure at the helm.
He told the Swindon Advertiser. "There was a bit of frustration from my point of view and from the players' point of view. We've been unlucky in a lot of the games we've played but I feel I've taken the lads as far as I can. They are a great bunch and the banter has been great, but on the pitch it just hasn't worked either this season or the last. We were quite happy that we stayed up last season, but maybe with the players we've got, it might have been better if we'd gone down. The club has reached a point where it needs to get a new manager who can get some fresh players in and get the best out of the squad."

Fairford are already inviting applications for the job and assistant boss Andy Wilson, who will take temporary charge for tomorrow's FA Vase first round visit to Clanfield, is understood to have thrown his hat into the ring. But for Hadgkiss' part, the former manager wants to continue to play a part at the Gloucestershire outfit, albeit not in charge of the first team.
"I've not left on bad terms and I'll remain involved in the club," he said. "We organised a lot of fundraising events last year and I'm happy to carry on doing that."

On The Way Up? - 17th September

Six games into the new Hellenic Premier Division campaign and Fairford Town find themselves propping up the league table.

However, if manager Richard Hadgkiss is to be believed, the mood at Cinder Lane is far from despondent and the first team are looking at the visit of Oxford City Nomads as a prime opportunity to prove to the rest of the Hellenic world that they occupy a false position.

After securing their first win of the term in the County Cup in midweek, Hadgkiss says his Fairford team are more than ready to get the three points they need to haul themselves off the bottom of the table. “The dressing room has been pretty happy with the way we’ve been playing and the performances we’ve been putting in,” he said. “The majority of our matches have been quite tight and there hasn’t been a lot in them. It is a big game for us this weekend but everyone knows we can go and get the win and that’s what we plan to do.”

Nomads have been sieve-like in defence in the opening weeks of the season, leaking 45 goals in just eight matches, leaving them boasting a monstrous goal difference of minus 36. But Hadgkiss has told his players to be wary of the potential threat of a team who, like his own, recorded their first victory since pre-season, with cup success over Witney in midweek.

“They’ve got a win under their belts so no doubt they will be difficult, but they do concede a lot of goals,” he said. “Now we’ve got our first, however, we can hopefully go on from there, get that bit of luck and start turning that corner.”

Hadgkiss has lost the services of stand-out defender Jack Nicholls, but has dipped into the transfer market during the past seven days to pluck midfielder Jake Lloyd from Cricklade. The playmaker is expected to make his debut against Oxford tomorrow, whilst Fairford are unaffected by any other injuries.

Hadgkiss’ men were due to host Highridge in the Vase today but their scheduled oppenents have folded, giving Fairford a safe passage to the next round.

Understudies Take Centre Stage - 3rd September

Depleted Fairford Town travel to in-form Binfield in the Hellenic Premier Division tomorrow, with boss Richard Hadgkiss confident his first-team understudies can do the job necessary.

Hadgkiss revealed that a number of his first-choice players are missing due to injury, and reserve team players have had to be called upon. Despite these injuries, Hadgkiss is hopeful on retaining several of his first-string players. Going into this weekend’s match, Hadgkiss is feeling confident after the last two performances from his side.

“The boys are looking really good going forward and creating a lot of chances so I’m not too worried.,” he said. “We’ve had a few blips and they’ve cost us, but we’re desperately looking to keep a clean sheet on Saturday. Of course it’s a game we’d love to win but I would take a point on Saturday.”

Fairford will be looking for a win to kick-start their season and to try and develop some confidence as they aim for a midtable finish at least. Hadgkiss was keen to point out that he has the youngest Fairford team in the club’s history, and wants to keep them in high spirits. Although he is happy with the talent his squad possesses, the boss revealed that he would be looking to add to the team by next weekend.

Life Begins At 40 - 14th July

Fairford boss Richard Hadgkiss is ready to grace the pitches of the Hellenic Premier Division again, a decade after helping Swindon Supermarine to the title.

Hadgkiss, pictured, watched on in frustration on Tuesday night as his team of youngsters raced into a 2-0 lead in the league opener against Old Woodstock only to succumb to inexperience and lose 3-2. With no funds to bring in a seasoned campaigner, the manager, who turns 40 this year, will consider a return to action to give the side some much-needed maturity.

He said in The Swindon Advertiser: “Tuesday was disappointing because we worked so hard to get into the position we were in but the communication was lacking. We’ve got a young team and some very, very quiet lads. Ideally we need an experienced leader out there but we haven’t got the money to bring anyone in. I can obviously offer them that, even if the legs aren’t what they used to be. We’ve got good squad numbers so I don’t think I’m needed at this stage but once the reserves get started, the squad gets stretched or it becomes obvious we need more experience out there, then I’ll be willing to play myself.”

Lydney are the visitors in today’s FA Cup extra preliminary round tie and, despite playing a rung lower on the non-league ladder, Hadgkiss is wary of the threat they pose. He added: “I’ve come across Lydney before and they are a strong and experienced side so we’re up against it in that respect.” Hadgkiss is likely to avoid the temptation of naming himself and should keep faith in the team that were unlucky to lose in midweek.

Fairford Pre-Season - 2nd July

Fairford Town pre season training will take place Tuesday and Thursday's commencing @ 6.45 p.m. at Fairford Town FC.

This is a fresh start for all involved at Fairford Town and we look forward to welcoming back old players but also are looking for fresh new players to join to help the Club progress. For further info contact Team managers:
1st Team - Richard Hadgkiss - 07901 644178
2nd Team - Mark Saunders - 07837 353869