LYDNEY TOWN F C NEWS

Lydney Relegation - 8th March

Lydney Town have been thrown out of the Sport Italia Hellenic League's Premier Division because their facilities do not meet the required standards.

Town were promoted to the highest level of football in their history last season, on the proviso that they would put up floodlights, lay hard-standing around the pitch and install a covered seating area. So far, none of the proposed developments have been carried out, although planning permission has been obtained for the floodlights.

The Forester News writes, the football club play on recreation land given to the people of Lydney by Lord Bledisloe back in 1946. It is looked after by the town's recreation trust, which is overseen, in turn, by the Charity Commission. They must sanction any developments on site.

Lydney Town FC manager Kevin Pegler said the news that his side had been relegated, despite finishing a creditable 10th in the league, left him heartbroken. "I don't know what to say, I thought the council were there to help us, not hinder us," he said. "I'm fed up fighting. I feel exhausted. Every time we try to do something, an obstacle is put in our way.

"I couldn't blame the players if they all wanted to leave. No team frightened us in this league, we showed we could compete with anyone on the pitch."

The Sport Italia Hellenic League's General Manager Brian King (pictured), said: "We didn't want to relegate Lydney, we extended the deadline until the end of March, then again to the end of the season. However, we cannot give them any longer."

"As an outsider looking in, I see the cricket and rugby sites then look at the football club and in my opinion, someone is being vindictive to the football club. I hope the club is strong enough to do what it needs to do and come back again."

Andy Tustin, who sits on the town council's recreation trust, said it was his belief that 90% of the football club's problems were of their own making. He said: "Because of the way the trust is set up you cannot build for one sport only. I'm sorry it has gone this far, but the football club hasn't listened to what it has been told. We have to abide by the Charity Commission directive."

However, Lydney town, district and county councillor Alan Preest said: "I'm devastated for the football club, they have achieved so much in such a short time. Some town councillors need to look long and hard at themselves and think about what they are there for and who they represent. Rules are there to serve the good people of the community. They can always be stretched. A lot of things would never get done otherwise."

"Can you imagine Cinderford's town council not supporting their football or rugby clubs like this? I certainly can't. I'd willingly support a vote of no confidence in the recreation trust."

"The only way forward is to have more meetings with the trust," added football club chairman Peter Elliott. "Hopefully, there can be give and take on both sides. We want to push again and get back to where we belong. I can't imagine many other clubs have been relegated with 63 points."
Lydney Re-schedule - 25th April

Lydney Town finish now their season with a game on Monday after postponing last nights fixture, in the interim they go to high flying Hungerford Town tomorrow.

Kevin Pegler's side, who lost to Flackwell but beat Pegasus Juniors earlier this week, can complete a double over Hungerford following February's 5-3 home success.

That was just one of six defeats this season for the Crusaders, who are guaranteed third place in the Premier Division this season. Hungerford, the SBJ Sports Insurance Challenge Cup finalists, could still end this season as the league's top scorers if they score three more than North Leigh when Town visit Bulpit Lane.

Lydney's game against Fairford Town which did not take place last night is re-scheduled for Monday 28th April.
Five Games In A Week! 18th April

Lydney Town go to promotion challengers North Leigh at the start of a back breaking schedule. They still have five games left after their midweek clash with Flackwell Heath was postponed.

Last weekend, they hit back from 3-0 down to grab a 3-3 draw with Bicester. A close-range Matt Timmins effort made it 3-1, then some great build-up play produced another close-range goal from Danny Clarke.

With just four minutes to play, Richard Evans was pulled back in the box and skipper Joe Macklin stepped up to convert the penalty. Lydney manager Kevin Pegler said: "It wasn't a game I enjoyed watching because I know we can do better."

Last night Lydney won at home against AFC Wallingford. Now chance is there for Lydney to move further up the table between the 19th and 26th of April. Lydney have to complete the one away game against North Leigh, and four home games, Flackwell Heath on Monday, Pegasus Juniors on Tuesday, Fairford Town on Thursday, and Hungerford Town on Saturday, 26 April.

Avoiding injuries and tired legs may be the key.
Out For Win - 4th April

Lydney Town are out to exact revenge for their defeat at Witney United on the opening day of the season.

Newly-promoted Town struggled to come to terms with life in the Premier Division and won just one in seven during August and the beginning of September.

But an 11-match unbeaten run through the winter has put Kevin Pegler's men on course for a top-half finish.

They were surprisingly defeated at Fairford Town in midweek and will be desperate to bounce back against a Blanketmen side who still harbour hopes of promotion.

Witney stayed in touch with the chasing pack by beating Shortwood United 2-0 on Tuesday.
Top Six Alive - 28th March

The prospect of a top six finish remains alive for Lydney Town, who have played fewer games than any other Premier Division team.

While some clubs, like leaders North Leigh, have just six games left, a clutch of postponements over the soggy winter mean Town still have 12 fixtures to go.

Tomorrow they entertain Abingdon Town after ending their four-game winless run with a victory over Ardley on Monday, and a victory at Sport Italia Hellenic League One West Clanfield last night in the SoccerKits Plus Supplementary Cup.

Lydney beat relegation threatened "Abbots" 2-0 in their last meeting when Mark Allen scored both goals.
Lydney Point To Prove - 21st March

Lydney Town have dropped nine points in their last three games, conceding 11 goals in the process. Tuesday night's 3-0 home defeat to Highworth all but ended their hopes of a top six finish.

The mid-table side entertain top six Milton United tomorrow looking for revenge after a 1-0 defeat in September. Milton, the 1991 Hellenic League champions, are unbeaten in four and beat Ardley 3-2 last week.
Referee Framed! - 17th March

Could excess hospitality, cause water logging? Lydney's pitch was playable at 12 noon on Saturday, with everyone arriving at 1.30pm the position had drastically changed by 2pm, says Lydney secretary Roger Sansom.

Was it a severe rain storm, or excess pre-match hospitality for match officials that caused the problem? Reputedly every picture tells a story, did match official Paul Turner have any direct involvement in why the game needed to be called off?

Of course he did. . . . he declared the pitch un-playable, as the frame above shows.
Out For Revenge? - 7th March

In-form Lydney Town are out for revenge when they visit a Wantage Town side that picked up a 2-0 away win five months ago.

Town picked themselves up to win 10 of their next 12 Premier Division games and they could close on the top eight with victory. Kevin Pegler's side are facing up to life without leading scorer Pete Macklin, who has emigrated to Australia, and their first game without him was a 1-0 Gloucestershire Trophy semi-final defeat to Bitton on Tuesday.
Two sides in very different form meet when Lydney Town go to Flackwell Heath tomorrow.

While Kevin Pegler's Town have won their last six league games, Heath have drifted out of promotion contention after losing five on the trot.

However, it is Flackwell who remain in the higher echelons of the Premier Division table. They are sixth, 10 points and seven places above Lydney, but have played six games more.

Both teams had their last games postponed - Lydney's home match against Almondsbury and Flackwell's trip to Witney United on Tuesday.
Pegged Head To Head- 1st February

Lydney and Ardley, level-pegging in the table, go head-to-head at the Recreation Ground tomorrow.

In form Town, who have played six fewer games than Ardley this season, are aiming to complete a double following their 3-2 win at Oxford Road in September.

Lydney, who have won six consecutive league games, thrashed Winterbourne United 6-0 to reach the Gloucestershire Trophy final last week, while Ardley needed extra-time to dispose of Bisley Sports in the SoccerKits Plus Supplementary Cup.
Early Start For Lydney - 25th January

Lydney Town's Gloucestershire Challenge Trophy tie with Winterbourne will be played tomorrow with a 1.30pm kick-off.

The game was postponed last week because the Lydney Recreation Ground was flooded. If Lydney's ground is still not playable on a final pitch inspection, the tie will be switched to Winterbourne. Whether this means the venue will be switched on the match day or on another date has not been advised. If you intend to watch the match it may be worthwhile checking with the club prior to travel.
Lydney Hope No Rain - 11th January

Having lost out to the weather so far in January, Town hope to finally start off 2008 with a win against Carterton.

Lydney Town can make it 18 points out of 18 with a sixth successive Premier Division win tomorrow. Kevin Pegler's side also have the chance of completing a double over lowly Carterton following their 1-0 win in November.

They will start as favourites against a home side struggling for form after three consecutive defeats where Carterton have shipped 11 goals.

Lydney's last two games, at home to Kidlington last weekend and Almondsbury on Tuesday, were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
18 from 6 ? - 4th January

Lydney Town can make it 18 points out of 18 with a sixth successive Premier Division win tomorrow.

Kevin Pegler's side will also be out for revenge as they take on a Kidlington side who beat Lydney 4-2 at Yarnton Road in September.

But the Oxfordhire side are enjoying a purple patch of their own and have only lost once in their last nine league outings.

Their prolific Kidlington striker Jimmy Deabill took his tally to 26 for the season in a Boxing Day win over Flackwell Heath and he will be hoping to fire his side into the top six with a win at the Recreation Ground.
Lydney Bid To Maintain Run - 28th December

In form mid-table Lydney Town have now won five successive games in the Premier Division following their 5-1 Boxing Day demolition of neighbours Harrow Hill. Tomorrow, Town meet bottom but one AFC Wallingford, who have only won once this season and lost 2-0 to Lydney in their previous meeting at the start of October.

The Oxfordshire side have lost their last six league games and have the worst defensive record in the division, as well as the lowest number of goals scored.

Their opponents poor form means Lydney will be confident of making it six of the best with another victory that could see the club leap two places in the Sport Italia Hellenic League Premier Division table.
Lydney Chase A Double - 21st December

A Second cup win of the week is on the cards for Lydney Town when they entertain Winterbourne United in the SoccerKits Plus Supplementary Cup tomorrow. Lydney, who are enjoying their first taste of Premier Division football and sit in the top half of the table after eight wins in 17 games, will start as favourites against the Division One West side.

Kevin Pegler's men booked their progress in the Gloucestershire Trophy with a 4-2 win over Cheltenham Saracens last week and will be hoping to do the same in this competition tomorrow. Opponents Winterbourne, who are seventh in One West, also enjoyed Trophy success last time out as they won 3-1 at Kings Stanley.
Old "Foes" Meet For County Trophy Tie - 7th December

Lydney Town meet Cheltenham Saracens for the first time since Town's promotion when the teams go head to head in the Gloucestershire Trophy tomorrow. Lydney went up as champions of Sport Italia Hellenic League Division One West last season after finishing 26 points and five places clear of Gerry Oldham's Saracens.

Lydney were held to a 0-0 draw by the Saras on home soil, but a late goal gave them victory at Petersfield Park in the two meetings last season.

Lydney lost at home to Division One West Tytherington Rocks in the SBJ Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup last time out and had their game against Shortwood on Saturday postponed. But they are on a four-match winning run in the Premier Division and will start as favourites to overcome their lower-leagued opponents.
Lydney Aim To Roll Out Rocks - 23 rd November

Lydney Town will be hoping to maintain their impressive run of form when they entertain Tytherington Rocks in round one of the SBJ Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup tomorrow. Following their promotion last season Town are now up to eighth in the Premier Division approaching the halfway stage of this campaign.

Kevin Pegler's side have recorded four successive league wins and they have kept clean sheets in the last three games.

Division One West Rocks will be aiming to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat at home to Letcombe last week and halt Lydney's march.
Back In Time - 19th October

Lydney Town are enjoying life in the Hellenic Premier Division after successive promotions, but they return to meet one of their old County League foes tomorrow.

They host a Highridge United side who are currently seventh in their table in round two of the Gloucestershire Trophy, Highridge were the county champions in 2005 and Lydney won it the following year to start their climb up the non-league football pyramid.
Lydney To Play First Game At Cinderford - 12th October

Lydney Town are looking forward to playing their first game in the Forest of Dean this season.Town will take on Wantage Town at Cinderford's Causeway ground on Saturday (3pm).

"It'll be lovely to meet at one o'clock instead of 11 o'clock," said manager Kevin Peglar. I hope we get a decent crowd."

Town will finally get the chance to play in Lydney the following week when they take on Highridge United in the Gloucestershire County Cup.
Lydney Looking To "Borrow" Causeway Ground - 20th September

Sport Italia Hellenic Premier Division club Lydney Town are looking to play some matches at the Causeway, home of British Gas Business Southern League Division One Midlands Cinderford Town, because they still cannot use their own Recreation Ground.

Because of delays in getting floodlights installed - a criteria for all Hellenic Premier clubs - they have had to play every league and cup game this season away from home. Many Lydney supporters haven't had a chance to see their side play for months, while the players themselves are crying out for a chance to kick a ball in their home town.
"I think we've played twelve consecutive games away from home in all competitions and it's been tough," said manager Kevin Peglar. "To be fair to the supporters a lot of them have been excellent, and have been coming away with us. However, it would make a massive difference to be able to play in Lydney again."

A planning application to install floodlights was initially put on hold because the football club did not have the support of the town’s recreation trust, the body responsible for looking after the Recreation Ground. Now though, that planning application has been resubmitted and is waiting to be heard by the Forest of Dean District Council.
Lydney vice-chairman Peter Elliott said: "We are looking to play three or four games at Cinderford until things are sorted out. Our first home game is probably going to be October 6th. There are other things we need to do to the ground, but if we can get the lights up that should allow us to return to our ‘home’ ground. I imagine the league will want to look at the situation again next year."

The recreation trust issued a letter dated 12th September giving permission to install floodlights following further discussions with the club and the Hellenic League. The trust claimed it was 'allowing the application to go through the full planning process so local residents could make their views known to the district council'.

Despite the disadvantage of always being on the road, boss Peglar believes his side have been unlucky this season, losing many games by the odd goal. "I'm not unduly worried by the results, we've played some good football," he said. "We need a few more goals though. Matt Timmins has gone to Thailand for three weeks and Peter Macklin has been playing a lot in midfield. "Gary Wildin is doing well for us and works incredibly hard, he just needs one or two to go in for him.
Peglar The New Boss Of Lydney 23rd July

Stuart Liddington has stepped down as manager of Lydney Town Football Club with Kevin Peglar taking charge of the first team with experienced defender Neil Hook assisting him. "I just fancied a break from it all and I want to return to playing regularly," said Liddington, who has led Lydney to three promotions in just three seasons. I will still be around the club, playing for whichever team needs me."

Off the field, it has been a difficult summer for Town since winning promotion from Sport Italia Hellenic One West.

The club remain in dispute with the town's recreation trust over some of the improvements they need to make to their ground in order to play in the Sport Italia Hellenic Premier Division. The club called a public meeting last Saturday to generate support. Following that meeting, which was attended by Mark Harper MP, club secretary Roger Sansom said: "We want to get back around the table with the trust to see what can be sorted out."

The Lydney squad will be essentially the same as the one that got them promoted. They have not lost any players during the close season, although Mark Saunders will be missing for the early part of the campaign because he has gone travelling. Jonny Kear has returned to the club after spells with Shortwood United and Ellwood, while highly-rated striker Gary Wildin has also signed for the Severnsiders from Ellwood. With prolific goal-getter Matt Timmins now fit again after a long-term injury, Lydney have lots of option in attack. Lydney Town begin their league season away at Witney United on August 11.