Sports Therapist Required - 16th May

Malmesbury Victoria are seeking a person with relevant qualifications to act as Sports Therapist (Physio) for season 2011-2012.

Applicants will hold appropriate qualifications, as a minimum, The FA Intermediate Treatment of Injury Course (or its equivalent) and a First Aid Certificate. The successful applicant is required to be present at all first team games. Copies of valid qualification certificates held should be produced prior to appointment.
Interested applicants should please contact:
Mrs Sue Neale
30 Gastons Road
Malmesbury
Wilts
SN16 0BE
01666 823560 07885 092661

Charter Standard - 14th May

Malmesbury Victoria are delighted that Wiltshire Football Association has informed them that they have been approved for the award of the FA Charter Standard Adult club.

Club Chairman Paul Neale would like to place on record his thanks to all members who helped the club in attaining this cherished award, and especially club secretary Sue Neale for completing all the paper work that had to completed in achieving the award.

Can't Wait - 19th April

The Vics' manager-elect, Simon Winstone, is relishing the chance of taking on the reins at the Flying Monk Ground when current boss Mike Hartley moves on in the summer.

Hartley is emigrating to Australia at the end of the current campaign and former Stoke City player Winstone has already been appointed as his successor. And after speaking highly of how Hartley has helped Malmesbury turn the corner in a short space of time, the new gaffer outlined how he hopes to take Vics even further in the very near future. "They've done a really good job, especially with coming in halfway through the season and barely having any players," he said. "I want to see if we can get a lot more local lads through the youth teams and into the first team. I've already thought about two or three lads I'm going to try and bring in."

Winstone's most recent experience in management was at the helm of Cirencester and District League outfit Oaksey, but he has enjoyed his fair share of non-league success in the past - notably reaching the FA Vase semi-finals as a player with Mangotsfield United in 1996. And the 37-year-old can't wait for 2011/12 to get underway so he can renew interest in the game once more. "Hopefully we can all be successful here together," he said. "I'm looking forward to managing at this level."

Hartley Going 'Down Under' - 8th April

Chairman Paul Neale has praised Mike Hartley for effectively saving his club's first team, after the Vics chief announced that he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

Hartley, who replaced Ken Turner in October last year, is emigrating to Australia at the end of the month after landing a job as an IT project and programme manager in Perth. Vics have already appointed Simon Winstone, player-manager of Cirencester & District League side Oaksey, as Hartley's successor but Neale revealed that Malmesbury's Hellenic League side came perilously close to folding earlier in the season.

"When Ken left, the majority of the players that he brought in left with him and we were left with about six – we thought we might have to fold the first team because there was no way it could carry on," he said. "Mike and Ian (Restell, assistant manager) brought in a new team and it's disappointing because things were starting to come together. But these kind of opportunities don't come around very often so we'll wish him all the best when he leaves. Simon is a local guy who wants to inject a lot more local players into the team and it's good that we'll have a smooth transition."

Hartley added: "Although I'm excited about going back to Australia, things were starting to progress at Malmesbury and I feel quite sad about it. I've had some chats to the new manager and he seems to have the same kind of ideas that I do, so hopefully things will go well at the club."

Blooding Pays Dividends - 15th March

Malmesbury boss Mike Hartley feels his philosophy of blooding local players paid dividends in the last-gasp 4-3 victory over Purton on Saturday.

Vics notched up just their third Hellenic League win of the season against the 5th placed side, after Malmesbury lads Kristian Hext and Ed Wilkins combined in the final minute for the latter to convert. And Hartley, who took the helm at the Flying Monk Ground in October, said: "When I took over we had a terrible situation where we didn't have enough quality in the squad. We had some problems with availability and what we've done since is start looking at some of the younger players around Malmesbury, and on Saturday we had five or six players from Malmesbury in the side. I always believe in developing players rather than trawling around and bringing names in, and we've got a few players who have been around a bit who are helping some of the youngsters. We actually did very well against them at their place and felt very hard done by in terms of a couple of the decisions in that game, but in this game we got a few going our way. It would have been a fair result if it had been 3-3, but to grab a winner in the last minute was certainly a nice feeling."

James Richards opened the scoring for visiting Purton after eight minutes but Mark Field soon replied for Vics. Wilkins then gave the Vics the advantage, only for Richards to equalize for the visitors. Allan Hawthorne made it 3-2 to the hosts before old stager Justin Miller appeared to have rescued a point for Purton, but Wilkins grabbed his second late on to give Malmesbury victory. Hartley added: "The thing that's worked in our favour is the team spirit. There's so much determination to improve in training. They all turn up and there's no faulting their effort. These lads will fight hard for each other but what they lack in terms of experience and technical ability, they make up for in effort and enthusiasm."

Floodlight Theft - 23rd February

Malmesbury Victoria have had a very hard season so far on the field, but as a club they are trying to put that right. But on Monday night the club was knocked back yet again, club chairman Paul Neale went down to the ground Tuesday morning to find that a floodlight pylon had been pulled down. This was done by someone cutting off the padlock and cutting through the clip and then pushing the top part of the pylon over and sending it crashing to the ground.

The trespassers then stole one of the lights by cutting the cable and removing the brackets and light, damage was caused to the other three lights on the pylon the total cost of the mindless vandalism will be several thousands pounds and has made a lot of work for Paul and Sue Neale and the club. Lets hope that the Police can find who is responsible.

Leaking Vic's- 29th December

Malmesbury Victoria are due to entertain Trowbridge Town on Monday 3rd January at the Flying Monk Ground, but with the ground still frozen and now the thaw has started pools of water are laying on the ground. The problems don't end there with the big freeze the Vic's have suffered burst pipes in the changing rooms, with some 3" of water lying in Refs room and changing rooms and no lights. Work is in hand to get the repairs done as soon as possible.

Manager Relieved Of Position - 21st September

The Hellenic League was advised on Monday evening that the committee of Malmesbury Victoria FC has relieved Mr Ken Turner from his duties as first team manager, with immediate effect.

Turner (pictured) and assistant boss Tony Webb and another member of his coaching team had departed due to "irreconcilable differences.''

Turner's Vics drew their opening league match of the campaign 1-1 with Bicester Town, but since then had lost six straight league and cup clashes, conceding 23 goals. Saturday's 6-1 home league defeat by Headington Amateurs proved the final straw, with Turner and co leaving last night.

A club statement said: "Due to irreconcilable differences, it has been decided to depart company with first team manager Ken Turner, together with his assistant and coach, with immediate effect.''

The club is now in process of finding a replacement manager, and will of course keep you informed on this matter. Applications can be made to club secretary Sue Neale on 01666 823560 or 07885092661, or to paul.neale@btconnect.com.

Text Frustration - 21st September

Vic's manager Ken Turner was left frustrated on Saturday when five players from Friday night to 11am on Saturday morning sent text messages to say they couldn't play, which left a depleted side to face top off the table Headington Amateur's, the lads that did play showed great determination and didn't give up.

Turner was quoted after the game "You spend all week on the phone which you don't get paid for, do training, get a squad together for the game on Saturday and then player's let you down, it's very frustrating. But you dust yourself off and start again on Monday morning".

This week the Vic's entertain Bicester Town in the Hellenic League Cup, the Vic's drew 1-1 in the league opening game of the season.

More Commitment - 17th September

Tomorrow "The Vic's" entertain high flying Headington Amateur's who have played five, and won five, Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West games.

It will make for an interesting afternoon for Turner's men, after a great game on Tuesday night in the AM Print & Copy Floodlit cup, for the first 40 minutes you wouldn't have now who was the premiership team and who was division one. With some good football from both sides, only fitness told towards the end of the game, so Turner urges more players to turn up on training nights.

Saturday's game should be a tough one for Turner's men as Headington is flying at the moment at the top of the table and playing some good football. Though the Malmesbury men are starting to turn the corner, after a good display in the last three games, the lads are starting to gel together and play some good football. Doubts for Saturday's squad are Chris Doyle (Work Commitments) Mark Barnes (leg) Craig Mooney (knee) Andy Brien (knee) James McCarthy (Suspended) but otherwise everyone else is fit.

Seeking New Officers - 15th September

Malmesbury Victoria will be looking to fill the following positions within the club with the news that Paul Neale and Sue Neale will be standing down from their posts within the club as Chairman and club Secretary.

Both have been involved with the club for many years and now feel the time has come to stand down. Malmesbury are looking for someone to come in with new ideas and a fresh look at the club. If you would like to become involved with the club or fill the positions please contact the club secretary.

Monks' Entertain Abbots' - 14th September

Malmesbury Victoria entertain Abingdon Town in the second round of the AM Print & Copy Floodlight Cup tonight at the Flying Monk Ground.

The club gives its best wishes to the Abingdon keeper Gareth Walkerand a very speedy recovery from what sounds like an horrific ankle injury.

Tonight Ken Turner will have another selection headache, with players working and injuries picked up at home to Easington Sports on Saturday. Missing will be Joe Blackford (groin) Andy Philpot( work commitments), Mark Barnes still out with a leg injury ,Matty Russell (College commitments) , Andy Bren( knee) and Craig Mooney (knee ). Turner wonders when things will start to go in Malmesbury's favour. Hopefully that will be tonight and will kick start our season, with a home game on Saturday as well, to high flying Headington.

Spectators for the match this evening, should get to the ground early as they are expecting a large crowd for this game.

Seeking First Three Pointer - 10th September

Malmesbury will be looking for their first win against Easington Sports tomorrow, with new players to choose from, and hopefully a full squad as well with the exception of Mark Barnes who will be missing for another three weeks with his leg injury, this should kick start our season.

Ken Turner commented. "The Vics welcome Tom Goody to the club who has joined us from Lambourne Sports, Tom is an exciting player who can play any ware across the middle of the park and we look forward to having him at the club, It was disappointing getting knocked out last week in the FA Vase to Kidlington, but Kidlington are a very good team and when you have a budget that they have you can attract good solid players, where as when you have no budget players have to work and other commitments. The joys of being a football manager!. But not sour grapes, Kidlington deserved their win last week and good luck to them in the next round."

Looking Forward To Vase Contest - 3rd September

"Vic's" manager Ken Turner is thoroughly looking forward to this weekend’s FA Vase Cup qualifying game against Kidlington of the Hellenic Premier.

With Mark Barnes the only absentee due to a recurrence of a leg injury, Turner has an almost full-strength squad to choose from. He said: “The lads should be up for it, they’re in high spirits and looking forward to the game.”

Although Turner admits that the league is his priority this season, he explained that he wanted the team to do well in all games, and was relishing the prospect of playing against higher-calibre teams.

Following last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Clanfield, Turner said he would be making a few changes to the first team but was not willing to disclose his line-up.

Distraction From League Action - 1st September

Malmesbury are looking forward to the distraction from the league this Saturday with an FA Vase trip to Kidlington, with a full squad with the exception off Joe Blackford (Holiday) to choose from will give Ken Turner a pleasing headache, with a no win situation as they are playing a team from a higher division and that are playing well at the moment.

The lad’s are all up for this game with having played Kidlington last season in the league and been beaten twice by them Malmesbury will be hoping for a result Saturday, with the attacking trio of Mark Field, Mark Barnes and Andy Philpot all available, who were not available for the Trowbridge game because of work and family commitments. This should be an interesting game so get your self down to the game and support the lads.

New Manager Installed - 29th June

Player power has been stamped out at Uhlsport Hellenic League club Malmesbury Vics - even if it costs new boss Ken Turner a lot of extra petrol money.

According to the Swindon Advertiser, Turner has been installed at the Flying Monk after leaving Swindon Supermarine’s defunct reserve team and takes over at a club relegated from the Hellenic Premier after a season of managerial turmoil and player unrest.

A large percentage of the squad remain Swindon-based but those players’ calls to train in their home town, rather than make the commute to Malmesbury, have fallen on deaf ears, even though it means a longer trek for Turner too.

He said: “I live in Swindon myself but the club is in Malmesbury, we play in Malmesbury so we will train in Malmesbury. All the facilities are here so there are no excuses.”

Turner spent a decade and a half at Pewsey Vale before stints with Wootton Bassett’s reserves and Marine’s second string, and he will bring Tony Webb from Hunts Copse as his assistant, with several of his former players also expected to follow him to the Flying Monk.

Turner has retained the likes of goalkeeper Luke Alford and talisman Kevin Coles, while Alan Webb has also agreed to return to the club as the manager bids to plot his way out of Division One West at the first attempt.

Turner said: “We’ve managed to keep hold of half the squad from last year and we’ve also got a few of the lads that left during the season coming back too. There are a few other players I’m looking to sign who I don’t want to name at this stage so we’ve got the base of a good Premier Division team. Really we’re looking to come straight back up next season and we can do it quite easily with this squad. Some people at the club weren’t happy about getting relegated but for me I actually think it might do the club some good to regenerate and it’s a chance to rebuild and return Malmesbury to the family club it used to be.”