Almondsbury Town are targeting a tenacious former midfielder in a bid to turn up the heat on their FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division promotion rivals.

Town have enjoyed successive 6-0 and 4-1 victories over Milton United and Pegasus Juniors respectively and entertain Flackwell Heath tomorrow high on confidence.

Manager Paul Weeks, who is without Danny Haines, Kane Ingram and Andy Proctor, has made a seven-day move to try and tempt Toolstation Western League Hallen's Tony Davis back to Oaklands Park. The 25 year old midfielder has appeared 18 times for Hallen this season scoring three goals. Weeks said: "I had Tony here before and one thing he always gives you is total commitment. I'm hopeful he'll agree to come to us."

Almondsbury Town have bolstered their squad ahead of a crucial spell, with the signing of Lee Bridson.

The centre half has signed from BGB Southern League Taunton Town and is in the squad for the trip to Shrivenham tomorrow. Brisdon was with Yate Town prior to joining Taunton, and was previously a trainee with Bristol City.

Almonds boss Paul Weeks is refusing to rest on his laurels following last weekend's 6-0 thrashing of Milton United and he said: "I was delighted with the boys; everything fell into place and Rich Kerr scored three goals. But we need to keep this going and Lee is a versatile player who is young, enthusiastic and brave, just what you need when you're taking on tough sides."

Almondsbury Town travel to Marlow United eager to regain lost ground in the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division title race following last Saturday's surprise 3-2 home defeat by Hook Norton and a 0-0 draw against Hungerford Town at Oakland Park on Wednesday night.

Manager Paul Weeks, who is still without injured midfielder Kane Ingram, said: "We've got a young defence but the team as a whole had a torrid time on Saturday. Although we want to win every game and expectations are high, it was a good response against Hungerford, particularly as we had six players missing."

Paul Weeks believes Almondsbury Town's new-found "adaptability" can stand them in good stead in the fight to win promotion from FTL Futbol Hellenic League.

His fourth placed Premier division fliers face two testing home games in the next five days, against sixth placed Hook Norton tomorrow and third placed Hungerford Town on Wednesday.

A decent return from those games could see Almonds into familiar territory at the top of the table heading into next Saturday's away-day with Marlow United.

Weeks, whose team have won four and drawn one of their last five league fixtures, acknowledged: "I feel we've more of an experienced side than last season's, one that can adapt to changing circumstances in a game.

"We got bullied out of it by our main rivals when it came to the crunch games towards the end of the season and it cost us promotion. Now, if we need to throw good football out of the window to win games in an ugly manner, we have the nous to do so."
Click here!

Weeks has a full strength squad to pick from, with striker Adam Cole expected to overcome a niggling ankle complaint.

LookIng Forward To Witney - 27th September

Almondsbury Town are looking forward to the top of the table of the clash with Witney United tomorrow and Football Development Director Jon Haile is expecting an open and entertaining game of football.

He said; “For me, Witney are the team to beat this season and must be favourites for promotion, but we will go there knowing that we do have the players and the system to test them. They ended our unbeaten record last season after 30 odd games and we know we will have to be at the top of our game if we are going come away with the points. It is an enjoyable place to play football with a partisan crowd. Their manager Andy Lyne is a gentleman and the hospitality is always excellent. It is a great football club and hopefully they can get promoted behind us!!”

Haile also added that it looks like there have been some surprises so far; "Witney have played two of the current top 4 beating Hungerford and losing to Chalfont who have had a great start and have surprised a few people with their early form. We have played them twice in the last 2 years in the cup having beaten each other over those two games and they looked well organised then. Carterton look strong this year and have raised a few eyebrows with some of their results and we were deservedly beaten at Fairford."

"I will say it again the strength of this league from top to bottom is there for all to see and the leading pack will drop points against the bottom half sides. In my opinion because of this, the winners of the league this season will end up with less than the 96 points that both ourselves and North Leigh finished on last season.”

Almondsbury Town take a break from league action this Saturday when they travel to play BGB Southern League Aylesbury United in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup sponsored by Eon.

Aylesbury have had a reasonable start and are currently just above mid table in the Midlands Division of the Southern League. Almonds coach Rob Boyd watched them beat Romulus last week and has given his report to the rest of the management team who are now making plans accordingly.

In form Brad Andrews (left) suffered a pulled hamstring in the 3-0 victory against Bicester and will miss the game, whilst top scorer Adam Cole is doubtful after twisting his ankle in the same game. According to Football Development Director Jon Haile, the new look team are just starting to gel. "We have brought in 10 new players to the squad with 7 of those players starting against Highworth in Tuesday evening’s 2-0 win. It has taken 3 or 4 games to start looking like a side that knows each other and things are just starting to gel now. When you consider that last night we were without Brad Andrews who has been outstanding, Adam Cole who has scored 6 goals in 4 games, and club captain Ben Pope, it underlines the strength of the squad we have. ‘Almonds’ manager Paul Weeks has made some excellent signings and there are have some tremendous youngsters knocking on the door and putting pressure on the players who currently have their shirt"

On already suffering one league defeat in September, compared to being unbeaten until March last season, Haile was philosophical "Our unbeaten record last season lasted 8 months and it became a monkey on our back as every team went all out to end it. Now it is out of the way this early, the only pressure we have to face in each league game is trying to secure 3 points".

FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Club Almondsbury Town FC announce a two year deal with Joma which will see the Spanish sportswear brand become the official team apparel and footwear supplier to the football club.

On the appointment of Joma, Bob Jenkins, Chairman of Almondsbury Town FC commented, “We are delighted to be building a relationship with a sports brand which is still surprisingly, somewhat of a trade secret. Relatively few people are aware of the high levels of quality product on offer and that Joma kit is worn by some of the top club sides in Europe as well as several national teams. To be able to associate Almondsbury Town FC with such a niche football label is a major coup for us. Their promise to support us from a brand perspective makes me certain that their involvement will benefit us both on and off the pitch. We have big ambitions to achieve Southern League status and Joma are fully committed to help us try and achieve this.”

The deal will see Joma supply team and training apparel for all teams throughout the football club. Mark Godley, National Sales Manager for Joma said: "Joma are delighted to announce our new partnership with Almondsbury Town FC. Joma continues to enhance it’s reputation as a genuine alternative choice for clubs at all levels of the football pyramid, from grass roots upwards. This is an exciting opportunity for us and will provide great exposure for Joma in the South West. We hope to play our part in any future success the club will have. As a brand, our relationship with top European football clubs provides a demanding requirement for excellence in every area of our business, so working at grass roots level with clubs who have such strong links with their supporters and local community allows us to deliver that extra level of service.”

Joma is the official kit supplier to Spanish La Liga and double UEFA Cup Champions Sevilla FC as well as other La Liga and UEFA Cup contenders Getafe and Racing Santander. In the UK, Joma also provides official team apparel to Coca Cola Championship clubs Charlton Athletic and 2008 FA Cup finalists Cardiff City as well as Scottish Division 2 sides Queens Park and Arbroath. Non-League clubs include Newport County, Havant & Waterlooville, Bath City, Harlow Town, Leamington FC and Cwmbran Town FC.

Steve Peters is the new Assistant Manager at FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier Almondsbury Town FC and takes up his new post on 1st July 2008.

Going out the door at Oakland’s Park is Steve Winter who is joining Shirehampton FC as Player Manager. Football Development Director Jon Haile explained "Wints (Steve Winter) has been a great asset to the club over the last 2 years and it certainly showed the clubs intent at the time when we signed someone of his ability and experience. He will be hard to replace but we understand his decision as Shirehampton is his local club."

On the appointment of Steve Peters, Haile was very optimistic, “Steve is a UEFA B Licensed coach who has been a professional footballer and all of the lads in the club look up to him. He is a great role model for the younger players and I am sure he is going to have a positive impact on the players."

Almondsbury Town FC require a Physio for the 2008/2009 season. Candidates must hold the FA Treatment and Management of Injuries Level TWO and a current FA First Aid Certificate. Candidates who are working towards this qualification will be considered. To apply, please send CV with covering letter to:
Jon Haile - Football Development Director
Almondsbury Town FC
Oakland’s Park
Almondsbury
BS32 4AG or email to almondsburytownfc@hotmail.co.uk, alternatively, call Jon Haile on 07738 330550