PURTON FC NEWS

Over £1100 Raised! – 14 May

£1128.55 was raised for Prospect Hospice on Saturday as a team of Purton Old Boys defeated a Wootton Bassett Town Veterans team 7-4 at Rylands Way in a charity match played in memory of Sean Clark.

Sean, a former Bassett and Purton player who also served as assistant manager at the Red House, sadly passed away in February after a lengthy battle with cancer. Cared for at the Prospect Hospice during his illness, Sean's family were keen for them to be the beneficiaries of the monies collected on Saturday.

A big thank you to all the players who took part and the supporters who came along for helping raise a fantastic sum of money for an extremely worthy cause.

Sean Clarke Charity Game - 8 May

Purton Old Boys will meet a Wootton Bassett Old Boys team in a charity match at Rylands Way this Saturday (11.30am)

The game is taking place in memory of a former player Sean Clarke, who was a player with both clubs, all monies raised will go the Prospect Hospice.

Danny Green will be managing the Bassett team and Chris Pethick the Purton side. Support at this charity match would be greatly appreciated with all takings going to a most worthy cause.

Purton Season End - 1 May

Tonight Purton take on Tytherington Rocks in their last game of what has been a disappointing season for the 'Reds'.

With just 27 points gained to date Manager Chris Pethick has been frustrated all season with the lack of players being available for many matches. The game could be the last time Purton play the 'Rocks' as they have applied to switch leagues for the 2013/14 season.

In past encounters between the clubs the 'Rocks' have had the better of things and gave Purton a pasting in the game at Tytherington earlier in the season. Due to the fact that originally the club's fixture would have concluded on the 24th of April several players will be missing and yet again the club are likely to be down to the 'bare bones'

At Last Three Points - 18 April

Purton Chairman Alan Eastwood is pleased his club had got back to winning ways on Wednesday with a 3-1 away win at New College Swindon.

Alan states. 'Three goals in the first twelve minutes paved the way for this overdue win. In a season which has seen Manager Chris Pethick really struggle to field a full compliment of players for several months with so many crying off. Last night’s win included Terry Dearing, Adam Mayhew and Pete Temple all current Reserve team players. Johnny Coole, after many months off following a serious illness,s also got a late run-out in this much needed win for the club'.

Last Chances To Gain Points - 16 April

Purton are still desperate for league points losing 2-1 away at near neighbours Cricklade Town in a Wiltshire derby last night.

The result leaves them in the bottom five places in Division One West eight points adrift of nearest team above them, and having played more games than the teams around them have no chance of improving on that position. With teams below team having games in hand also Purton need to capitalise on all the points available from their final three games of the season or find themselves dropping further down the table. This starts with at New College Swindon on Wednesday evening (7.45pm), then a home game this coming Saturday at the Red House when they play hosts to Clanfield (3pm).

New College Swindon have already taken three points from Purton, but The Red House team have beaten Clanfield away this term. Manager Chris Pethick's resources will be stretched with many players not being available. Purton’s final match of the season is on Tuesday 30 at home to Tytherington Rocks (6.30pm) which might be the last time they play the 'Rocks' who may be moving leagues next season and against who the club lost heavily to earlier in what has been a real disappointing season

Daunting Fixture - 5 April

Purton travel to One West Champions elect Brimscombe & Thrupp, a most daunting one considering the 'Reds' poor league form.

Purton suffered a dismal Easter campaign, a defeat at the hands of Malmesbury Victoria and a home loss to Lambourn Sports.

Brimscombe and Thrupp could affectively seal the One West championship with three points from this game. Only Brimscombe losing one of their following two games and Wootton Bassett taking maximum points and making up a 37 goal difference from their remaining four games could alter Brimscombe's destiny. The Gloucestershire side have led the way all season with some impressive results in both league and cup matches. Purton's Chairman Alan Eastwood describes their opponents as, " A most friendly club, who have improved their facilities no end and will be worthy champions if they win the game on Saturday".

As for the 'Reds' who know what its like to win the league will be bitterly disappointed in the way they have performed. Eastwood comments. "After a reasonable start, a spate of injuries, and in particular too many players letting the club down by being unavailable, has been a real 'nightmare' for Manager Chris Pethick. He has who has a decent squad (when available) but too many times this season players have let the club down with many playing well below the standard they are capable off."

Pethick will be scraping the barrel again this week, he is unable to call on any Wiltshire League Reserve team players who could step up due to Wilts League Corsham Senior cup tie at the Red House also taking place tomorrow against Bradford Town FC Reserves.

The Hellenic League game has to be played. Eastwood thoughts regarding Purton's chances of a win? "Miracles do happen, but don't bet on it!"

Red's Look For Easter Cheer - 29 March

Bank Holiday fixtures see Purton travel to near neighbours Malmesbury Victoria on Easter Saturday (3pm). Then entertain Lambourn Sports at the Red House on Easter Monday (3pm). Two games that the 'Reds' will be hoping to do well and so further ease any relegation worries.

Malmesbury were the opponents in the first game of the season, Purton won the game at the Red House 3-2. Overall in the 23 meetings between the side Purton have won 11, Malmesbury 6 and 6 have ended in draws. The 'Vics' go into the game on the back of an 8-2 mid-week win over Old Woodstock Town. Purton on the other hand have not played the past two Saturday's due to the awful weather conditions.

The Easter Monday game will see Lambourn Sports visit the club for the first time since the 1994/1995 season. In the match on their ground this season the points were shared in a 1-1 draw. Overall the teams have met 13 times with Purton gaining 6 wins, Lambourn 5 with 2 matches drawn. Purton also beat them in season 1992/1993 in the Hellenic Cup at the Red House 3-1 with a brace from John Hayden and another by Arron Crumbie.

On the team front Lee Wilson will be absent and Johnny Cowley has still to serve the last of a three match suspension delayed because of match postponements.

Hoping Game Takes Place - 22 March

With a washout of fixtures in Hellenic League Division 1 West last weekend, Purton will be hoping that their local derby game at Stones Lane against Cricklade will go ahead tomorrow.

But sadly the Cricklade ground does not fare well when hit by rain, with rain forecast on Friday and Saturday it could mean another blank week for both clubs.

Early on in the season Cricklade won 3-2 at the Red House and overall have had the much better of things. In the 15 games played between the teams Purton have only won 4 with 4 games drawn with Cricklade winning 7 times.

On the team front Johnny Cowley will be missing due to a suspension while Lee Wilson is overseas. Richard Crocker has left the club, joining Shrivenham, but Jamie Richards is back from his suspension, although Nick McCrae and Johnny Coole are still absent with long term injury and illness.

Purton management committee would like to thank all those who supported the club at the Race Night last Saturday. Sadly support from the players was not good at the function, had numbers been greater the additional cash would have improved the 'club coffers'.

Avoid Humiliation - 14 March

This Saturday Purton play hosts to Tytherington Rocks and will be hoping that they will not be humiliated again after their 7-1 loss away earlier in the season.

Last season's league champions chances of taking the title again have been foiled and Saturday's game could be the last time the club play them as the Rocks are likely to switch leagues in 2013/4. In 17 previous meetings against the 'Rocks' they have won 9 times with Purton winning 4 times and 4 games ending in draws.

On the team front keeper Lee Wilson will be missing for the next five weeks but the club have signed up Joe Skudlarz as custodian. Jamie Richards after serving a one match ban is back and are hopeful that Nick Mason will be available after missing last weeks Cup win over Clanfield.

It's another tough game for the 'Reds' who have had poor league results the past three months.

Later on Saturday evening at the Red House Club a 'Race Night' has been organised and the club are hoping they get a good turn out in this club 'fund raiser'. Tapes go up at 8pm.

Cup Progress For Purton - 11 March

Purton swept aside their league woes as they made it into the quarter-finals of the Bluefin Insurers Supplementary Cup in dramatic fashion.

Chris Pethick’s troops advanced courtesy of a late 2-1 win over Clanfield at the Red House. Purton had seemed destined for defeat after Steve Olphert gave the visitors the lead, an advantage they kept until 12 minutes from time. But Steve Avenall pounced in the closing stages and then Dave Gee sent home the winner in the 83rd minute to propel his side into the last eight.

Purton Look For Improvement – 1 March

Carterton are the visitors to the Red House tomorrow and Purton will be looking to straighten out the record of the last game played between the two sides.

Earlier in the season Purton lost the away fixture 6-1 in a humiliating defeat on a day where 'sloppy' defensive errors cost the team dearly.

Purton go into the game on the back of a 3-3 draw with Letcombe and last Saturday's 2-0 win over North Leigh Reserves both teams, like Purton, struggling at the wrong end of the league table.

Visitors Carterton on the other hand are well placed in the league so Saturdays game will be a tough ask. On the team front Manager Chris Pethick continues to have selection problems with injuries and un- availabilities  and Johnny Cowley is out serving his first of a three match suspension.

Pethick accepts that Purton’s league campaign is all-but over and now says his task as manager is to rebuild morale. While the Red House outfit are still in the Supplementary Cup, a relentless run of injuries throughout the season have derailed their Division One West campaign. “We’re just trying to see the season out now and get some good results to give us morale going into next season,” said Pethick. “The atmosphere in the changing room last week was good so that was positive. We know we’re not going to get anywhere this year, we just need to make sure we’re not too near the bottom.”

Availability Key - 22 February

Purton manager Chris Pethick will be hoping that Warren Fuller and James Townsend will be available for their home game against North Leigh Reserves in Division One West tomorrow.

For what is another important game, in which picking up three points would further ease the relegation fears of the Wiltshire club. The club's draw last week with Letcombe was disappointing as they had the game won by conceded two late goals to share the points in a game where both sides were hoping for three.

Earlier in the season the club lost 3-1 at 'Nor Lye's' Eynham Hall, Stephen Avenell the scorer for Purton on that occassion. Overall the club's have met just three times. Apart from this seasons defeat the other two games in 2009/2010 resulted in Purton winning away 3-2 with goals by Paul Day, Stephen Avenell and Warren Fuller and at the Red House 2-1 with Justin Miller and Johnny Coole netting.

Former Player Honoured - 19 February

Numerous players from both the football and cricket fraternity in Wiltshire attended the funeral of Sean Clarke at Kingsdown Crematorium yesterday.

Purton Chairman Alan Eastwood advises. " Sean would have been proud of the numbers who attended the service, as the place was packed to the rafters with former players of cricket and football. After the excellent run service, where memories of 'Sean' were remembered, many followed on to the Red House club. Purton Football are grateful to all those who honoured Sean by their attendance."

A Win For Either Side Will Ease Worries - 14 February

Purton play host to Letcombe at the Red House on Saturday in a game that both teams will be looking to win to ease their relegation worries.

The home side occupy fourth from bottom place in Hellenic League Division One West, with Letcombe one place below. Purton have a 10 point advantage over Letcombe, who have managed to accrue only seven points and one victory this season. Although Purton have played five games more than the Oxfordshire side, so maximum points from this fixture will be crucial to both.

Purton go into the game on the back of a six match losing run of league games their last of which was the defeat at near neighbours Fairford Town last weekend. Saturdays opponents faired better last weekend with a four all home draw against Old Woodstock Town.

Overall the teams have met 31 times in the Hellenic League, Purton winning 19, Letcombe 9 with 3 games drawn. Totaling 90 goals to Letcombe's 53. Earlier in the season Purton won the away fixture 7-1, though on current form though there is unlikely to be a repeat of that score line.

On the team front Purton manager Chris Pethick continues to have selection problems with players missing though injuries, work and other commitments. A recurring situation which has been a problem for several months.

Funeral Of Sean Clarke - 13 February

Purton FC confirm that the funeral of the late Sean Clarke will take place on Monday 18 February 2013 at 11.15am.

At Kingsdown Crematorium, Kingsdown Road, Swindon, Wiltshire SN25 6SG. Following the cremation service, mourners are invited to The Red House Club, Church Street, Purton SN5 4DY.

Incentive In Abundance - 8 February

Purton striker Richie Crocker admits he has plenty of incentive to impress this weekend on his return to his former club Fairford Town.

Crocker’s current side are on a run fo five straight league defeats and he is desperate to help the team return to winning ways.

“It will be nice to go back there and of course it gives me added motivation. We’ll have to wait and see how we get on,” said Crocker. “I’m a good friend of Paul Braithwaite and he has got a lot of quality players who could probably play a bit higher than the level they are at.”

Chairman Alan Eastwood commented. "We are desperate for league points. The club have failed to collect any points in their last five league fixtures and their only win in the last six games was a 3-2 Supplementary Cup win 3-2 against Easington Sports."

He continues. "Earlier in the season Fairford took all three points in a 1-0 victory at the Red House in what was their first ever league meeting against Fairford Town in the Hellenic League. On the team front McCrae and Coole are side lined through injury and illness but the team welcome back Avenell from his one match suspension. Manager Chris Pethick will be hoping that all his other players will be available for selection as in the last three months the team has really suffered by lack of numbers for several reasons".

Sean Clark - 7 February

Purton FC has to report on the sad death of Sean Clark who sadly passed away on Wednesday the 6th of February sadly losing his fight against cancer.

"Sean joined the club in 2004/5 along with current Manager Chris Pethick as his assistant and was involved with the training sessions at the club. Sometimes he played in the Hellenic side as a 'sub' when the team was short and Wesley a son of his is a current player with the Club having played a couple of games at Hellenic level but mainly as first choice keeper in Purton's Reserve side who compete in the Wiltshire Premier League."

"In his younger playing days Sean was an excellent goal-scorer, aggressive and a good team player representing quite a few clubs in Saturday and Sunday league football and was also a good cricket player."

"Purton Football club will be show their respect to Sean with a minute silence before their Hellenic game at Fairford Town and the Reserves Wiltshire Premier league game at the Red House against Corsham Town FC Reserves this coming Saturday."

"The club extend their deepest sympathy to his wife, family and relations at this sad time. Details of his funeral arrangements will be notified when confirmed and will be attended I'm sure by many people from the club and other clubs within Swindon"

Alan Eastwood
President & Chairman Purton FC

Break Provides Favour - 1 February

Purton striker Richie Crocker reckons his team’s recent enforced hiatus from action has done them a favour ahead of their home game against Old Woodstock Town tomorrow.

“I think we all needed a break to regroup, to be honest,” he said, commenting in the Swindon Advertiser. “It showed against Tytherington that we were completely unfit so quite a lot of us have been doing midweek running sessions to improve. Hopefully that extra training will help us when we play again.”

Former Purton Stalwart Dies - 29 January

Purton FC inform of the death of former club president Mr Ken Ryan who sadly died last Thursday, 24 January, after a long illness.

Current president Alan Eastwood comments. 'Ken was an excellent President of the club for many years and was in the post when I joined the club in 1972. He was a great supporter of the club, well liked by everyone at the club. The football club extend their deepest sympathy to his wife, family and relations on the sad loss of a well respected gentlemen. The club will honour his memory with a minute silence at our home game this Saturday against Old Woodstock Town.'

Lay Off Benefit - 27 January

One blank Saturday and two other Saturday's the Purton's players have had three weeks off to hopefully 're-charge their batteries' having lost the previous four league games on the bounce with some poor performances. Yesterdays home game with Carterton never looked likely of taking place, the Red House pitch covered in several inches of snow and even a 'snowman' erected on the pitch by local children.

James Townsend and Warren Fuller both recently signed have yet to play a game although Townsend was a 'sub' in the last match played. Both will add strength to a Purton team that have suffered more 'downs' than 'ups' in what has been a disappointing campaign to date. The loss of Chris McCrae for the remainder of this season the illness to Johnny Coole and the loss of Dave Gee with injury are other negative problems for Manager Chris Pethick who is hoping that Saturday 3 February home game with Old Woodstock Town will take place and that his players will have benefited from their 'long lay off'

Desperate For Points - 17 January

Purton have signed former striker Warren Fuller from Shrivenham to add more fire-power to the squad. In previous spells with the club Fuller (pictured) notched 69 goals for the club and will give manager Chris Pethick more options up front.

After a blank Saturday last weekend the Purton play hosts to Clanfield this weekend (weather permitting). The Red House side go into the game desperate for points having lost four league games on the trot.

The club have met Clanfield more times than any other side in the Hellenic, a total of 54 league and cup games and have an excellent record of 34 wins, 10 losses and 10 drawn games. This season in the Challenge Cup Clanfield won 2-1 but in the league game Purton took the points in a 3-1 win both games on their 'patch'

On the team front Steve Avenell is suspended and Dave Gee injured and Johnny Coole is still in hospital recovering from illness. There are also doubts on a couple of other players .

Emphatic Defeat - 7 January

Chris Pethick cut a frustrated figure after his Purton side were given a 7-1 hammering at Tytherington Rocks in Division One West.

The Swindon Advertiser reports, the Red House boss could not help but feel irritated by the emphatic defeat, which he believes was down to missing a large number of his key players.

Purton have had to deal with significant injuries and absences throughout this season and that shows no sign of letting up. Though reigning One West champions Tytherington were in no mood to be charitable in South Gloucestershire as they put the Wiltshire outfit to the sword.

Pethick said afterwards: “We’re missing far too many players and it’s showing. We’re having so much bad luck, we just haven’t got a side and are struggling. Players are away, suspended, ill or not fit, that’s what it is.”

Points Sought - 3 January

Purton travel to Tytherington Rocks this Saturday hoping for better fortune on the back of three league defeats in the past games.

Against Carterton, Lydney Town and Boxing Days narrow 2-1 home defeat by local rivals Wootton Bassett Town.

Tytherington and Purton have met 16 times in league encounters with the 'Rocks' winning 8 times, Purton 4 Times and the other 4 resulting in drawn matches.

Dave Gee is suspended for one match, also Johnny Coole side lined by injury along with Nick McCrae, and have a fitness doubt with Tom Cadden. James Townsend who re-signed for the club just before Christmas and made a substitute appearance in the Boxing Day with Wootton Bassett is included in a 16 man squad in what will be a tough match against a good 'Rocks' group.

Purton Without Game - 28 December

Purton are without a league fixture on Saturday following their 2-1 home Boxing Day defeat by local rivals Wootton Bassett Town.

A highly competitive match and despite going behind in the first minute and 2-0 down after 75 minutes Purton fought back, scored and might have shared the points on the day as they had the better of the exchanges in the last 15 minutes of the match.
 
The club also has some bad news that one of their best players over the past seasons Johnny Coole has been taken ill. Hospitalised just before Xmas Johnny is now at home but very unwell. His absence will be sadly missed in the team and everyone at the Club wish him full recovery.
 
On the playing side former player James Townsend has returned to the club from Highworth Town and came on as a substitute in the game against Wootton Bassett Town and is a replacement for Nick McCrae who has been side-lined by injury for the remainder of this season.

Stiff Games For The Reds - 22 December

Weather permitting Purton face a stiff holiday programme, starting with an away fixture today at league leaders Brimscombe and Thrupp.

Then a Boxing Day home fixture (kick off 11am) against near neighbours Wootton Bassett Town, currently second placed in the Division. Both sides having already beaten Purton in earlier league encounters this season.

Purton go into the game on the back of two disappointing league results against Carterton and Lydney Town in what has been a topsy-turvy season so far this campaign. They will have to be at their best if they hope to get anything from the two tough upcoming fixtures. Manager Chris Pethick is away in France but will be back for the Boxing Day match, so Stephen Hall and Jamie Cowley will be in charge for the Brimscombe and Thrupp match. Purton have doubts over several players, including Johnny Coole who missed the last match through illness and Nick McCrae side-lined for the rest of the season, as well as Tom Cadden who has been out for two weeks.

Purton Face Confident Lydney - 13 December

Purton will be hoping to put last Saturday's heavy defeat inflicted on them at Carterton behind them when they play hosts to Lydney Town on Saturday (2pm).

Hopefully Marcus Hall and Tom Cadden will be fit enough to join the squad against a Lydney side full of confidence after their 8-4 drubbing of Old Woodstock Town last Saturday in the Supplementary Cup.

Early on in the season Purton won the fixture at Lydney 5-2 and in total have played them 11 times with Purton winning 4 times, Lydney 6 times with one match drawn.

Team will be selected from: Wilson, D.Brown, L.Brown, JJ. Richards, Child, Coole, Gooch, Campbell, Mason, Gee, Avenell, Crocker, Cadden, M.Hall, C.Hall, McGahey, J.Richards.

Confidence Growing - 6 December

Purton go into Saturday's Division One West game at Carterton on the back of an away league win at Clanfield and a Supplementary Cup win at the Red House last Saturday overcoming Easington Sports from the Division One East.
 
The Club's record against Carterton however does not make good reading. In the 8 league games that have met each other Carterton have won 5 and Purton 3. Carterton have also beaten the club in the Hellenic Challenge Cup and the Hellenic Supplementary Cup in the past.
 
On the team front Johnny Coole who missed last week's cup game is back but Lee Wilson is not available and Tom Cadden might be a doubt.
 
Team from: Paul Thompson, Kurtis Sharkey, Darren Brown, Leigh Brown, Johnny Coole, Jamie Richards, Ryan Child, Ashley Gooch, Nick Mason, Callum Hall, Marcus Hall, Dave Gee, Stephen Avenell, Richard Crocker, Scott Campbell, Jamie McGahey

Hope For Fixture - 30 November

After last weeks complete wash-out of league fixtures in Division One West, Purton will be hoping the Red House Ground is able to stage it's Bluefin Supplementary Cup game against Easington Sports tomorrow (Kick Off: 1.30pm).

Purton will be looking to go one better than their Bluefin Supplementary Cup runners up place two seasons ago.

“The Supplementary Cup is important to us and we want to win every game,” he said. “We enjoyed our run two years ago. It can give us a good run of games and help keep a buzz about the place. We’ve not started too well (in the league). And when things are not going well, it’s nice to play cup games and get some respite.”

Easington, who moved over from Division One West to the East division during the summer, will be no push-overs and Pethick expects a battle. “They were a strong, physical side last year and beat us quite convincingly (6-2) at their place,” he said. “But, even though we’ve not started too well, we’ve got a good side.”

The Purton supremo has been boosted in recent weeks by the return of Leigh Brown and midfield talisman Marcus Hall from long term injuries. Nick McCrae is the only remaining absentee from an injury blighted first half of the season.

Easington Sports have met Purton 46 times in league encounters. With Purton winning 23, Easington 11 and 12 matches drawn. The Wiltshire club hav also met their north Oxfordshire visitors in an Hellenic Cup competition winning 4-3 at Addison Road.

Purton from: Wilson, Sharkey, L Brown, D.Brown, JJ Richards, Coole, Child, Gee, Gooch, Campbell, Mason, C. Hall, M Hall, Avenell, Crocker, Cadden, J Richards, McGahey

Rocks At The Red House - 23 November

Weather permitting Purton play hosts to Tytherington Rocks in Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West tomorrow.

The two sides have met 16 times in Hellenic League fixtures with Purton winning only 4 times, Tytherington 8 times with 4 matches drawn.
 
Last season Tytherington won 4-0 at the Red House but Purton gained revenge with a 3-1 victory on their patch. Purton go into the game after a 3-1 away win at Clanfield last week after two previous league defeats prior to that win.

On the team front Richie Crocker and Jamie Richards will be missing along with Nick McCrae who sadly will need an operation after getting injured early in the season and is unlikely to figure again this campaign.

Richie Crocker reckons Purton’s returning players have given the squad a welcome boost ahead of this weekend’s clash. Long-term absentee Marcus Hall came on for 20 minutes of the 3-1 victory over Clanfield on Saturday, and the midfielder came through unscathed.

Leigh Brown is also now back fit, and although Crocker himself is missing this weekend due to a wedding, he believes there is improved competition for places.

“It definitely helps getting players back, Marcus is one of our key players and it’s great to have him,” said Crocker. “We’ve missed him a lot, he’s a very good player and he’s been a great leader for us as well. Leigh Brown is back in the reckoning now as well so we’re getting a few players back, and that’s forcing a few of the lads to up their game a bit. We’re midtable at the moment but we’re definitely looking to push on a bit more now, I think we’ve been a bit hard done by lately in not getting anything out of games. It’ll be nice for the lads to be at home for once, we’ve been on the road a lot recently, but hopefully in front of a home crowd they can get a result.”
 
Saturday's team will be selected from:- Wilson. Sharkey, D. Brown, Child, L. Brown, C. Hall, Mason, Coole, Gooch, Gee, M. Hall, Avenell, Richards, Cadden. Campbell, McGahey, Cowley

Loss Overcome - 19 November

Purton picked up a victory with the Red House outfit, winning 3-0 at Clanfield, as Marcus Hall (pictured) celebrated his long-awaited return to the side following injury.

Purton had already met Clanfield this season in the Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup with the Oxon Robins winning 2-1. In saturdays league fixture, Chris Pethick's men went in at half-time 1-0 ahead courtesy of Steve Avenell after he followed up a Johnny Coole effort. Coole got on the scoresheet himself at the start of the second half and that was quickly followed by a third from Richie Crocker after good work from Dave Gee. Clanfield pulled one back minutes from the end but victory was already assured.

Pethick said afterwards: “We played a lot better than last week when we were awful, we were up for it this time. We had a few players back like Marcus Hall and Leigh Brown who we haven't seen for a while, so things are starting to look a bit better. Hopefully we can start climbing the table now.”

Purton Visit Clanfield - 16 November

Purton travel to Clanfield this Saturday for their first league meeting of the season, the teams have played each other already in the Bluefin Cup Clanfield going through with a 2-1 victory.

The club go into the game on the back of two league defeats against Fairford Town and Hook Norton and are desperate to get back to winning ways that see them currently in 11th place.

Over the many seasons they have played each other Purton have a great record and in the last 7 league and cup encounters Purton have won 5 times and Clanfield just 2.

On the team front regular keeper Johnny Cowley who badly injured a thumb earlier in the season has stepped down from goal-keeping duties and has gone back to concentrate as a midfield player his original forte. Lee Wilson has been the club's custodian in his absence but is unavailable this Saturday so manager Chris Pethick has secured the services of Kurtis Sharkey from Highworth Town to step in. In the past his father was also a keeper for the club. Johnny Coole missing last week returns to the squad but Nick McCrae and Paul Day are still but Marcus Hall after a long lay off through injury may play some part in Saturday's match.

Paul Gillett - 15 November

Purton FC Chairman Alan Eastwood advises the death of former player Paul Gillett who has sadly passed away at the age of 41.

Alan said: 'Its sad I have to report the death of former Purton player Paul Gillett who has sadly passed away at the age of 41. Paul played for the club between 1999 - 2008 at Hellenic and Wiltshire league levels. An excellent central defender and clubman Paul always gave a 100% effort in every game he played. Excellent in the air and a great competitor he also chipped in with 13 goals nearly all headed goals. Purton Football club extend their sympathy to his family and friends and will be holding a minutes silence for him in their games this Saturday in his honour'
 
His funeral service takes place on Monday the 19th of November at the Kingsdown Crematorium in Swindon at 10.30am where Purton FC officials will be present.

Penalty Decision Ends Cup Hopes - 6 November

A disputed 72nd minute penalty ended Purton's Wiltshire County Cup ambitions on Saturday.

Opponents Downton, a side that top the Sydenham Wessex League having dropped just 5 points in their 12 games played and still in the FA Vase, had the better of the chances but for long periods the Purton more than matched the home side.

Purton keeper Lee Wilson made some excellent saves plus Johnny Coole and his fellow defenders nullified a lot of Downton's attacks. At the other end of the pitch Scott Campbell, Dave Gee and Tom Cadden all went close for the Hellenic team and Ashley Gooch had a goal rubbed out for offside.

Wiltshire Senior Cup For Purton - 2 November

Tomorrow Purton take a break from Hellenic League action as  they travel to South Wiltshire to meet Downton FC in the Preliminary Round of the Wiltshire Senior Cup a tie delayed as Downton were playing in the FA Vase on the original date the game was due to be played on the 13th of October.  

The club faces a stiff task against a Downton side that currently top of the Sydenhams Wessex league on 29 points from their 12 games played having won 9 drawn 2 and lost just the once.

The clubs have met each other in the Wilts Senior Cup four times before. In 1994/5 Purton beat them 1-0 in the final at Devizes Town's ground and in 2002/3 won on their ground 1-0 in the quarter finals. In 2003/4 in the first round Downton won the tie 1-0 on their own patch and at the Red House in season 2006/7 Downton won again  2-1 in a second round tie.

On the team front Johnny Coole who was not available last Saturday is available but Nick McCrae, Marcus Hall and Paul Day are all still out with long term injuries.

Busy Afternoon For Referee - 21 October

With Manager Chris Pethick unavailabe it was left to Jamie Cowley and Stephen Hall to take charge of the team on Saturday at Letcombe

The players followed up the previous weeks home win over Hook Norton with an emphatic 7-1 victory. Richard Crocker and Tom Cadden netting two each with Ryan Child, Ashley Gooch and Johnny Cowley notching the other goals. The only down side was the three yellow cards Purton players received whilst Letcombe suffered four yellow cards and had skipper Adam Pendell shown a red in the second half.

Well Balanced Fixture In Store - 18 October

This Saturday Purton's team travel to Letcombe for the first meeting of the Hellenic League Division One West club's this season.

Currently both sides are at the wrong end of the league table and so Saturday's game is an important one for both sides who will both be hoping to collect all the three points at stake.

Manager Chris Pethick is unavaillable and will miss the match so Stephen Hall and Jamie Cowley will take charge for this game. On the team front Purton are hopeful that Dave Gee, Ashley Gooch and Leigh Brown will have returned from holiday and Lee Wilson from injury but James Richards is not available. Nick McCrae, Marcus Hall and Johnny Cowley are still out with long term injuries.

Matches in the past has seen the sides meet 30 times in league games with Purton winning 18, Letcombe 9 with 3 matches drawn and Purton lead the scoring stakes: 73-53.

Odd's For Purton Win? - 11 October

Purton go into Saturday's home league game with Hook Norton having lost in mid-week 3-1 away at local rivals Wootton Bassett Town.

Purton were 1-0 up at the break through Reece Gilliver the team played really well but three goals in the last 20 minutes that all took wicked deflections off Purton defenders that gave Bassett their win, a disappointing result after the hard work the team put in on the night.
 
Saturday's game with Hooky will be another tough ask as the club are still without long term injured players Marcus Hall, Nick McCrae and Johnny Cowley, other injuries to Callum Hall and Justin Miller and have Ashley Gooch and Mark Belcher unavailable.

Previous meetings between the two clubs would also indicate a tough ask as of the 10 matches played, Hooky have won 5, Purton 2 and 3 have ended in draws and the visitors have been doing well this season.

Midweek Derby - 8 October

Purton make the short trip to Rylands Road tomorrow night to meet Division One West second placed Wootton Bassett Town.

Bassett go into the game on the back of league wins over North Leigh Reserves and Letcombe.

Purton go into the game after a blank week last Saturday and still have injury problems and have skipper Dave Gee, Richie Crocker and Ashley Gooch away on holiday. A tough game is expected against a good Bassett team.
 
The two clubs have met 32 times in Hellenic league fixtures with Purton winning 12 times, Bassett 10 times with the other 10 ending in stalemate. The last 8 meetings has seen Purton win 4 times, Bassett 3 times and the other match ending in a draw. Games between the two sides are always very competitive so Tuesdays match will no doubt be just the same.

No Fault Attributed - 1 October

Chris Pethick could not fault his players after Purton were knocked out of the Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup first round in extra time.

The injury-ravaged Red House side took the game to extra time courtesy of a Dave Gee effort, while Steve Olphert netted for Clanfield. But in extra time Olphert beat Lee Wilson from the spot to send the Oxfordshire side through with a 2-1 win.

“We played really well, it was a good performance and we didn't deserve to lose,” said Pethick. "We were the better side by a mile. We were robbed on a dodgy penalty, the player just did a swan dive and the referee fell for it. Beforehand I asked the lads to give me a performance and told them the result wasn't that important. Having said that, it was disappointing to lose a game we shouldn’t have lost.”

Safe Hands Welcomed - 28 September

Purton hope to welcome back a natural goalkeeper in time for their first-round Bluefin Challenge Cup clash at Clanfield tomorrow.

Right-back Leigh Brown has donned the gloves in the last three games with Lee Wilson missing, while first-choice stopper Johnny Cowley has a thumb injury.

The Red House side’s injury problems do not stop there with midfielder Marcus Hall not having played a competitive game this season due to injury, while centre-back Nick McRae is still out.
Positive results have been tough to come by and Purton currently sit 17th in Division One West, and a break for cup action could prove welcome.

Striker Richie Crocker (left) explained: “We’ve had Browner in goal in the last few games and to be fair to him he’s been doing alright. We’ve had a bit of a makeshift team of late it’s affecting us quite badly. Plus we’re missing Marcus and aren’t taking our chances very well, and that’s the whole team. We need a result to pick us all back up so we can try and get a bit of a run going.”

Chairman Alan Eastwood added: “We haven’t started off too well, mainly because we’ve had a serious amount of injuries. We’ve found it difficult to pick a settled side. “The squad has been decimated by injury and suspension.”

Fixtureless & Happy - 21 September

Purton's management team are happy that this week-end they are fixture-less as it will give them some respite.

The loss of so many players still injured, work commitment and holidays reducing their squad almost down to single figures. Skipper Marcus Hall, Nick McCrae, Justin Miller, Johnny Cowley, Paul Day, James Richards and Darren Brown are all still out with injuries while several players are on holidays and some have to work and some are away at University.

Without these players results have suffered and the club finds itself in their lowest league placing for some time, getting players back is imperative and positive results needed when they get back in action on the 29 September with a cup match at Clanfield, followed by another blank week on the 6 October before they face a midweek clash with locals rivals Wootton Bassett (away) on Tuesday the 9 October.

The club's Wiltshire Senior Cup away to Downton that was due to be played on the 13 October has been put back until the 3 November due the progress Downton have made in the FA Carlsberg Vase.

The club will face Hook Norton at home in the league therefore on the 13 October, a fixture brought forward by the league management.

Crowd Numbers Ray Of Sunshine - 17 September

All involved with Uhlsport Hellenic League Purton FC are less than happy with their current performance.

Chairman Alan Eastwood, the manager and the players themselves are all disappointed in the recent bad run of results, the latest being the 2-1 home defeat by the youngsters of New College last Saturday at the Red House.

Alan states 'The injuries and unavailability of players we have had has done little to help the cause. Worsened by the fact that the club has no keeper to call on at present as all the keepers are injured and on Saturday full back Leigh Brown had to be our custodian."

"Despite the results however I have been delighted by the amount of supporters the Club has had so far at the Red House, another great attendance of 103 on Saturday last, with the visitors well supported at the match".

Severe Unavailability - 14 September

Purton go into Saturday's home league match with a side still riddled players out injured or unavailable.

Eight players;  Johnny Cowley, Nick McCrae, Marcus Hall, Justin Miller, Paul Day, James Richards, Darren Brown and Richard Crocker are all still injured and Ryan Child and Ashley Gooch on holiday. The management team will have to dig deep for a side against their visitors New College Swindon.

Previous meetings in the league against them has seen Purton win twice and their visitors twice. Purton have also beaten them in the Hellenic Supplementary Cup back in 2002/3. 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Red House and in the Wiltshire Senior Cup in 2009/10 at the Red House 3-0.

Purton are without a game on Saturday 22 September as their scheduled fixture was with local rivals Wootton Bassett Town, now postponed due to Bassett participating in the FA Cup against Dorchester Town.

Injuries Hamper Win Possibility - 8 September

Purton go into today's Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West game at Lambourn Sports on the back of two disappointing home losses.

Against Cricklade Town, and league leaders Brimscombe & Thrupp. Both losses not helped by players out injured and another is out for this fixture, keeper Johnny Cowley, side-lined with a hand injury.

The teams have met before when the 'Sports' were in the Hellenic League from 1989 to 1995. Purton’s last two games against them were in the 1994/1995 season, Purton winning 1-0 on their ground and the 'Sports' reversing the result at the Red House. Prior to that the team had met 10 times with Purton winning 5, the 'Sports' 4 with one match drawn and in season 1992/1993 Purton ran out 3-2 winners at Lambourn in the Hellenic Cup.

With so many injuries worries the management team will be hoping to put out a strong enough team to compete and hopefully improve on their last two performances.

Hoping To Make Amends - 30 August

Division One West high flyers Brimscombe & Thrupp are the visitors Purton's Red House ground this Saturday.

Last season, the 'Lilywhites' first in the Uhlsport Hellenic League, they did the double over the Red House side, so Purton will be hoping to make amends for those defeats.

After a an excellent away win 5-2 at Lydney Town last Saturday, Purton then suffered a 3-2 home defeat by local rivals Cricklade Town on Bank Holiday Monday. Had the team played as well as they had at Lydney though they would surely have won that local derby.

The club have quite a few players out with injuries. Marcus and Callum Hall, James Richards, Nick McCrae, Darren Brown all unavailable, and Justin Miller is also an injury doubt.

Victory From Crisis? - 10 August

Chris Pethick might be presiding over one of the worst injury crisis in his Red House reign, but the Purton manager still expects his side to kick off their Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One campaign with victory.

Purton welcome Malmesbury tomorrow and James Richards and Paul Day have recently joined the long list of sidelined players the boss was already contending with.

Nevertheless, Pethick (pictured) was upbeat on the chances of his troops registering a win against their local rivals. “I know Malmesbury have had a big change round in personnel since last season, so I’d imagine they will be stronger, but we’re at home so we expect to beat them,” said Pethick. “We’ve had a disastrous pre-season, and we’ve picked up more injuries in the last week. We’re struggling but we’re going to get a side together."

He continued. “You can’t moan about it, we’ve got a big squad and this is what it’s for. Hopefully they will come in and do a good job. We’re looking forward to it, it’s always nice to have a local derby to start of the season and hopefully we’ll get a few people out there.”

Richard 'Muffer' Painter - 3 August

Sad news received by Purton Chairman Alan Eastwood that Richard 'Muffer' Painter passed away in July, sadly after contracting cancer.

Chairman Alan Eastwood states "I joined Purton as a player in late 1972 and Richard was already a member of the first team. A hard tackling and aggressive centre back and an excellent header of a ball Richard was had been a regular in the late 60s and continued all through the 70s before sadly moving away to another town. He notched 30 goals for the first team, many of them with his head and can say that I personally helped in that field as many of his goals were scored from set pieces, the corners and free kicks that I was fortunate to deliver."

"His deceased father Mac was also a former player while older brother Mick was a regular supporter of the club as well until the family moved away from Purton."

"Purton FC express their deepest sympathy to Richard's family on their sad loss. Richard will be remembered by many of Purton's previous players and the local supporters and I will ensure at that at Purton's first home league game on Saturday the 11 August that he is honoured with 'a minute silence' for his great service to the club"

Purton Training Starts Tomorrow - 25 June

Purton FC will be running sides in the Hellenic Division One West and a Reserve team in the Wiltshire Premier League.

Training will re-commence at Lydiard Park on Tuesday 26 June starting at 6.45pm and every Thursday and Tuesday thereafter. All previous registered players and any new-comers will be welcome to attend.