Slimbridge are delighted to announce that Daniel Holloway, who has been playing for Westfields in the Midland Football Alliance, has decided to spend the rest of this season with the Swans.
Holloway, who scored a hat-trick last Saturday against Abingdon Town, has very much enjoyed his football with Slimbridge and manager Leon Sterling is well pleased that Daniel will be available on a more regular basis. It is a big boost for Sterling as he will shortly be losing a couple of important members of his squad through suspension.
Star striker Jamie Martin has a two match ban looming for his sending off against Highworth for handling the ball on the goal line and influential midfieldier Fred Ward, who was sent off against Flackwell Heath, has received a three match ban.
This weekends game at home to Ascot United will see the return of Shane Anson and Mike Bryant, Anson has been 'home' to Jamacia visiting family whilst serving out a three match ban, Bryant,who has been unavailable for a couple of weeks, returns to the squad and will hope to regain his place in Sterling regular starting line up. The Swans will be hoping to produce the same sort of performance against Ascot as last Saturday's 5-2 victory against Abingdon but know that their Berkshire visitor's will be a tough nut to crack.
Treatment Certificate Awarded - 29 December
Slimbridge are pleased to report that their long serving Physio, Tony Woodward, has gained his Level 2 certificate in the Treatment and Management of Injury in Sport.
Tony attended a six week course in Swindon and received his pass certificate from the FA this week.
Everyone involved at Slimbridge would like to offer Tony their Congratulations.
Tony is pictured giving Swans Striker Karl Nash a pre-match massage.
Players Out - 24 December
Slimbridge will face neighbours Cheltenham Saracens on Tuesday without two of their regular players.
Shane Anson (pictured) serves the first of a three match ban for a sending off he received in the GFA Challenge trophy tie with Tuffley Rovers. Also missing will be 17 year old Brad Martin who has decided to return to Longlevens who play in the Gloucestershire County League, a club where Brad has several family connections. Slimbridge would like wish Brad all the best for his future, he was a popular member of the Swans side and is sure to be missed.
On a brighter note manager Leon Sterling has brought back former player and manager James Cole back to the club to help Leon in the dug-out when Assistant Manager Fred Ward is playing on the pitch, this is a shrewd move by the manager who is trying to get his team playing more consistently this season. The club welcomes James back to the fore. Tuesday's game is sure to be a close encounter, kick off is at 3pm.
Home From Home! - 26 November
Slimbridge are looking forward to their next two fixtures, although they are midway through a run of seven away games, both of their next two matches are within the County of Gloucestershire.
The Swans have been playing virtually two football games a week since August, including long midweek journeys to the likes of Bracknell and Wantage, so Visits to Lydney in the Bluefin Insurance Challenge Cup today, and an even shorter trip to neighbours Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday Evening in the GFA Challenge Trophy, will be not only be a welcome reprieve from the pressures of picking up league points, but will also give Manager Leon Sterling and his players a break from the arduous journey's that this division sometimes throws up. Tuesday nights 2-0 win at Witney was a big confidence boost for the club as a whole, mainly because of the fact that Leon had several first team regulars missing, having said that, the fringe players that came in all did themselves proud, and will surley give the Swans manager plenty to ponder over.
However, come next Saturday it will be a case of back to 'the grind stone' when the Swans make another long trek to Ascot Utd ,and hopefully another three league points which will ensure that they keep in touch with the leading pack in the Premier Division.
Homesick Swans! - 18 November
Slimbridge will be on the road again tomorrow when they visit Thame United, the second of a run of seven away games on the trot.
After last weeks 4-0 away win at Wantage the Swans will be paying visits to Thame, Witney, Ascot and Abingdon Town in the league whilst coupled with two cup encounters with Lydney and Tuffley Rovers. Manager Leon Sterling will surprisingly not be too concerned though because his team are currently unbeaten away from Wisloe Road, something that the astute manager will be looking to continue in the coming weeks. It's their home form that Leon will be hoping to see an improvement in, having lost four league and two cup games at Wisloe, he is certain to be looking to solve the problem, but that won't start until December 13th, which is the date for their next scheduled home game, against Fairford Town, the team that have already beaten the Swans on their home patch in the Floodlit Cup in October.
Leon will only have his mind on this coming Saturday though, and he is under no illusions that to keep their unbeaten away record intact the swans will have to be at their best against a Thame side who are on good form at present. It will be Slimbridge's first visit to Thame's new ground and superb facilities,something that they are very much looking forward to.
Tough Vase Round - 21 October
Slimbridge have a tough job on their hands if they are to progress to the 2nd round proper of the FA Vase when they travel to Toolstation Western League Premier Division leaders Larkhall Athletic on Saturday.
Their hosts have had an excellent start to their campaign and are amongst the favourites to win their league but Swans manager Leon Sterling will take heart from Larkhall's last two league games which have resulted in two defeats. Sterling will also be reminding his team that alongside Larkhall being tipped for Promotion are Merthyr Town, the team that Slimbridge defeated 3-2 in the last round of the competition!
It all adds up to what should be a fascinating game and with the Swans taking a coach load of supporters to Bath their is no doubt that the result is far from a foregone conclusion. Slimbridge have no injury or suspension problems for the tie so Sterling will have a full Squad to choose from .
Reunited - 23 September
Slimbridge are reuniting their friendship with Merthyr Town on Saturday when the Martyrs visit Wisloe Road in the FA Vase 2nd Round Qualifying.
The Swans made great friends with their Welsh counterparts, then known as Merthyr Tydfil, when in October 2006 they met at Pennyderren Park for an FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tie. Merthyr, who were then in the Southern League Premier Division, won that game 2-0 but they made the Swans very welcome and gave them a huge round of applause as they left the field.
Manager Leon Sterling, the only one left at Slimbridge who played that day, is looking forward to pitching his wits against Merthyr player manager Gary Shepherd, who incidentally scored one of Merthyrs goals that day. A good crowd is expected to enhance the atmosphere and supporters are being asked to arrive nice and early for the 3pm Kick Off, extra car parking space is being made available. The winners will be away to Larkhall Athletic who also play in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.
Challenging Week For 'Swans' - 14 September
Slimbridge AFC are looking forward to a challenging week ahead, after a disappointing exit from the FA Cup they recovered slightly by beating Portishead in the FA Vase and also by grabbing 3 league points at Cheltenham Saracens.
However, disappointment returned on Tuesday evening when they were beaten 3-2 at home by high flying Oxford City Nomads, despite leading with only two minutes to go.
Now it's time to look forward to the challenge ahead. After visiting Henley in a league encounter on Saturday they welcome very near neighbours Shortwood United, many people's favourites to lift the title this season, to Wisloe Road next Tuesday evening, 7.45pm.
Merthyr Town then await the 'Swans' in the next round of the FA Vase, the 'Swans' have home advantage in what should be a thrilling tie, both teams met five years ago in the FA Cup. After a draw at Wisloe Road, Merthyr Tydfil, as they were known then, won 2-0 in the replay at Pennydarren Park. Slimbridge are expecting a large crowd for both fixtures so supporters are asked to turn up a little earlier than normal, extra parking will be available for both matches.
Hectic Week Ahead! - 26 August
Slimbridge have a very important week ahead with three big games in seven days.
On Saturday they take on Binfield and on Monday their opponents are Highworth, both games are at Wisloe road. Slimbridge finished a very respectable fifth in the Hellenic league last season but both of these teams finished above the Swans, which only goes to highlight what a difficult weekend it will be for them.
Manager Leon Sterling has a big squad to choose from, having registered 24 players which will stand him in good stead for the coming week as next Saturday they entertain Western league side Cadbury Heath in the Preliminary round of the FA Cup, a competition that every club wants to do well in. Although the Bristol based side play in a league below the Swans in Division One of the Western league, some good reports have been fed back on what a good side they are, they won 6-1 away at Premier division side Corsham Town in the last round so Slimbridge are under no illusions that they will have to be at their best if they want to progress to the next round and a possible mouth-watering tie with their near neighbours Shortwood United!
Bumper Pre-season Fixture - 7 August
Slimbridge AFC played host to Forest Green Rovers last Wednesday night in a pre-season friendly.
A crowd of 442 turned up to watch an entertaining encounter in which the Conference side won 3-0. Pictured at the 'toss up' with both captains are referee John Roskelly, assistant's Andy Davies and Rich Dyer and mascots for the evening Elstelle Timbrell and Cerys Roberts.
Rovers At Swans - 7th June
Slimbridge Football Club are pleased to announce that Blue Square Conference side Forest Green Rovers have agreed to bring their 1st team Squad to Wisloe Road for a Pre-Season Friendly on Wed 3rd August, 7.30pm.
This was arranged as part of a deal that will see Forest Green Rovers Ladies, who play in the South West Combination League, play their home games at Wisloe Road for season 2011-2012.
The Swans have also managed to secure visits from Evesham United ( 23 July), Bishops Cleeve ( 26th July), Radstock Town ( 30th July), and Bristol Manor Farm (6 Aug). They will also visit newcomers to the Hellenic League Brimscombe & Thrupp on July 16 and Malmesbury Vics on 19th July.
At the clubs recent AGM John Mack was re-instated as Chairman, taking back over his old role due to Keith Sparrow having to leave the club for personal reasons, Colin Gay was elected Club Secretary.
Manager Leon Sterling is looking forward to having another 'crack' at winning the Hellenic League after coming so close in 2010-2011, he will once again be assisted by Fred Ward and training will commence on July 5th.
Players Out - 24 December
