Home Fortune To Turn - 5th March

Third from bottom Winterbourne United entertain Headington Amateurs in Division One West tomorrow, with manager Nick Tanner backing his players to turn around their fortunes on home soil.

"It's too late in the season to bring in a new batch of players," he said. "The lads have proved they're good enough to compete in this division and it's just a case of finding the right formula. I'll be looking to change things about a bit."

Baffling ? - 26th February

Winterbourne United manager Nick Tanner admits he finds his team's home form "baffling".
Bourne have lost their last five games in their own backyard, yet have enjoyed back-to-back successes on the road, scoring nine goals and conceding one.

Small wonder Tanner finds solace in the fact his men travel for a Division One West tussle with North Leigh Reserves tomorrow.

"Again we created chances (in Saturday's 3-0 home defeat by Lydney) and I just can't fathom why we didn't score and why our home form in general is so poor," he said.

Winterbourne Looking to Move Up - 19th February

New keeper Dafydd Jones signed from Frome Town made his debut in the 5-0 away win at Easington last Saturday. Jimmy Potts is back on the goal trail with a hat trick at Easington so everything looks in place for a good finish to the season.

Manager Nick Tannersaid; " We finally got the rub of the green last weekend and got what we have deserved for all our hard work over the last few games. Its amazing how scoring the first goal can change the mentality when you are down the bottom of the league! We have been playing well enough to get results against all the teams we have played recently and I am delighted for all the staff and players! I have said all along we have a great spirit within the club and have stuck by the majority of the lads and can honestly say Saturdays result was one of my proudest moments as a manager. So thanks lads,now go and show our home fans what we can do! Winterbourne have scored 9 goals on our last two travels, yet failed to score at home so work that out?

Upbeat - 5th February

Winterbourne United boss Nick Tanner remains upbeat ahead of his side's clash with visiting Cheltenham Saracens, despite their opponents chalking up an astonishing 26 goals without reply in their last two league games.

Home victories of 14-0 and 12-0 over Cirencester United and Launton Sports catapulted Saracens into third place, Jamie Hammond and Ian Surcombe wreaking havoc with 11 goals apiece over the two games. Tanner (pictured) however, is focusing only on lifting his attack after seeing them waste several chances in Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Wootton Bassett. "We outplayed a team with aspirations to be promoted, but again we failed to take a string of clear-cut chances," said Tanner.

All Out Attack - 31st December

Winterbourne United manager Nick Tanner has vowed to go all out attack as he aims for a long unbeaten run in 2010.

The former Liverpool defender has had a tough start to life at Parkside Avenue since replacing the long-serving Stewart Jones with no points from four Hellenic League games in charge. Without a game since Bruce Grobbelaar paid a visit earlier this month in the 1-0 GFA Trophy defeat against Patchway Town, Winterbourne’s cause has not been helped by the weather, but Tanner believes that his side are capable of putting a run of wins together in the new year.

“I’ve set a target of a long unbeaten run,” he said. “I genuinely believe we have done well in the games that I have seen. In the league we’ve played the two top teams in four games and we’re not a million miles away from being at the top. I still think that we’ve got a lot of games that are winable so maybe we can go on a run of five or ten games.”

If the weather holds out, Winterbourne face a tough trip on Saturday to in-form Cheltenham Saracens, who are third in Hellenic Division One West after their thumping 14-0 Boxing Day win over Cirencester United. However, Tanner insists he will take a positive approach to the game. “With the players we’ve got we can only go all out attack,” he said. “There is no point sitting back we will play to our strengths and have a go at them. The first point is to try and keep a clean sheet but the way I play is really attacking with what I have got.”

That would certainly appear to suit striker Jimmy Potts, who is still waiting to make his first appearance since returning to the club from Cadbury Heath along with former Yate Town defender Neil Ward. Tanner said: “Jimmy scored god knows how many goals when he was here before, he’s one of the most prolific scorers in the area. It’s good that we have got those players back at the club, we just want to get back on the pitch and show people what we have done in training. We’ve got an 18-man squad with competition for places so everyone is raring to go.”

Coach Not Keeper - 4th December

Liverpool legend Grobbelaar will not play for Winterbourne United tomorrow, but fans will still get the opportunity to see his famous spaghetti legs in a half-time penalty shootout.

It was hoped that former Zimbabwe international Grobbelaar would make a dramatic comeback from retirement to play in the Gloucestershire FA Trophy match against local rivals Patchway Town, but the 52-year-old will now spend the game in the home dugout at Parkside Avenue. Although fans will be disappointed not to see the veteran play for Winterbourne, he will be involved in the day’s activities and a big crowd is still expected. Local people will have the chance to try and beat the eccentric goalkeeper from the penalty spot at half-time by filling in a slip in the programme, and Grobbelaar will draw the lucky five before kick-off at 1.30pm. There will also be picture opportunities and he will be signing programmes from 12.30pm to 1pm.

Grobbelaar is well known for wobbling his legs to put off Francesco Graziani in the penalty shootout of the 1984 European Cup Final, and the AS Roma man ended up missing as Liverpool clinched the prestigious crown. Winterbourne manager and his former Anfield team-mate Nick Tanner expects to see a repeat of those spaghetti legs on Saturday. “It has been decided by all parties that due to the prestige of the competition and out of respect to our opponents Patchway, Bruce will not be making an appearance between the sticks for Winterbourne,” he said. “He will however be very much involved during they whole day, signing programmes and taking part in a penalty shootout competition during the half-time period. The spaghetti legs will come out, definitely.”

It is hoped that Grobbelaar’s appearance will raise funds and boost the profile of the Hellenic Division One West club. “It’s a big local derby, we should get a big gate anyway, but Bruce will help that,” said Tanner.“It’s mainly to raise funds for the club and it should be a great event. I’ve seen him do this sort of thing before and it will be fantastic for the local people. I’ve never seen him grumpy, he’s always got a smile on his face.”

Grobbelaar has had managerial experience with South African sides Seven Stars and Hellenic, as well as two player-manager spells in charge of Zimbabwe, and Tanner joked: “He can do the team talk and get the sack if we get beat.”

Admission for the game is £2.50, including a programme. Additional parking should be available at The Ridings school, but everyone is advised to get there early.

Tickets are still available for the post-match dinner where Grobbelaar will be the guest speaker at Baileys Court Inn in Bradley Stoke for £10, which includes the meal. Grobbelaar will also draw the winner to be Baileys Court’s charity of 2010.

Winterbourne squad: Graham Court, Kevin Slade, Tim Baker, Ben Rhodes, Kirk Waldron, Grant Gordon, Chris Iles ,James Mainstone, George Hemmings, Scott Cameron, Sam Vile, Nick Waters, Mark Totterdell, Tristan Day, James Halliday, Jack Watts. Coach: Bruce Grobbelaar.

Cup Test - 27th November

Winterbourne have a Hellenic Supplementary Cup Preliminary-round tie at home to Division One East outfit South Kilburn tomorrow.

United have lost all three of their league fixtures since Nick Tanner's arrival as manager, although he stressed: "The application among the players has been first-class and I firmly believe we have a squad in place capable of climbing the league."

● Tickets for 'An Evening with Bruce Grobbelaar' – the ex-Liverpool goalkeeper has agreed to feature in Winterbourne's GFA Cup tie with Patchway Town next Saturday – are available at £10 from the Baileys Court Inn, Bradley Stoke, where the after-match event takes place.

New Signings For Bourne - 20th November

Winterbourne United manager Nick Tanner continues to weigh-up his squad, having already added former Brimsham Green goalkeeper Graham Court, and Almondsbury Town defender Kirk Waldron to the ranks.

Tanner, who confirmed this week that former Liverpool star Bruce Grobbelaar will be available to play in 'Bourne's GFA Trophy match with Patchway Town in a fortnight's time, was encouraged by his side's display in the 2-0 defeat by Lydney Town last Saturday and is hoping the goals will soon flow, starting with tomorrow's home clash against second-placed Slimbridge.

"Two of our 18-year-old midfielders, George Hemmings and Chris Isles, were outstanding," said Tanner, who adds Nick Waters and Tristan Day to his squad. Midfielder Tom Buxton-Blythe, meanwhile, has left for Hanham Athletic.

Tanner's Winterbourne Views - 19th November

Winterbournes' new man in charge gives his views on taking over the role . . . . and announces a surprize signing.

I"’m delighted, yet daunted to be following in Joners shoes. Nobody can ever underestimate the fantastic job he did for Winterbourne United and he’s always welcome in the dug out when he’s back in the country. How can anyone following Joner compare? I suppose it will be the same when Sir Alex retires from Manchester United! Good luck to whoever has that job."

"So to that end I put my thinking cap on and thought a big signing could be the way to try and get in everyone’s good books! Get them on my side so to speak. Hence the Bruce Grobbelaar signing today!"

"What started as help me out please mate has now finally turned into a reality and I am really excited for the club! I’ve reminded the lads, nobody is guaranteed their place from now on, though I will except Bribes…wonder where I learnt that, to play alongside the great man".

"So I expect everyone to raise their game another notch from now until then, I have already noticed a bigger buzz around the club, and this must continue, starting Saturday. I’ve known Bruce for 20 years and had the privilege to play in front him on numerous occasions, so I was delighted to be able to get him for our GFA Trophy match with Patchway Town on Saturday, December 5 (1.30pm). This may well be his last game on British soil as he’s immigrating to Canada shortly afterwards! I hope local people turn out on the day to watch such a legend in action and this will help generate much-needed funds for the club."

Winterbourne United appoint Nicky Tanner

Nicky Tanner the ex Bristol Rovers and Liverpool player has joined Winterbourne United as their new Manager.  In the Bristol Evening Post he described his job as "mission Impossible" following Stewart Jones who had been with the Club for 17 years.
 
When interviewed Nicky said: “I've known Stuart Jones for years now and have an excellent relationship with him so its a bit weird taking over from someone who has been so successful and has left the club in such good stead. So I would like to thank the chairman and board at Winterbourne for giving me this opportunity. I have spoken to all the staff and they will still be managing their respective teams and Keith Ford and Ben Walker will continue to assist me, hopefully Ben will resume playing duties around Xmas time and he will be a great asset me and the club”.

Tanner continued saying, “I asked for as many as possible to turn up for training Tuesday night and the response was fantastic, in fact we had too many for the size of the astro pitch!!........Weve put 7 day notices in for Aaron Day at Avonside, Kirk Waldron At Almondsbury Town, Graham Court at Brimsham. Craig Davidge who was with me at Almondsbury Town but now lives in London has signed and will commute when work commitments allow him, which is a massive plus. There wont be a massive influx of players as I want to keep nucleus of the 1st team squad together and give people a chance that are already at the club. There is already an excellent youth set up at the club and these youngsters will be given their chance before the end of the season. We have been unfortunate with injuries but a lot are returning now and I just need get them fit and the whole squad fitter and more organised but that can only come though if they all train and make that commitment”.

Not In Sights - 6th November

Ben Walker has admitted he is not ready to put himself "in the firing line" at Winterbourne United but pledged: "I'll be doing everything to help get us on track."

The 28-year-old centre-half has been drafted in to form a caretaker managerial trio headed by Terry Northam, and completed by fellow coach Keith Ford, in the wake of long-serving boss Stewart Jones' exit. None of the three is likely to take on the duties long-term, and indications are the Division One West side will advertise the vacant post in a few weeks' time. Walker explained: "Terry will be the main man over the next few weeks, with Keith and me lending our support. Because I'm planning a playing return (from a knee injury) after Christmas it wouldn't be prudent to put myself in the firing line just now, although I'd like to manage some day."

Fifth-from-bottom Bourne travel to Purton tomorrow keen to end a run of three defeats in their last four games. Walker said: "It will be strange not having Stewart about and it's down to us three to settle things down and identify what needs doing to get us heading in the right direction."

The Fond Farewell - 30th October

Winterbourne United manager Stewart Jones will take charge of the side for the final time at home to Clanfield tomorrow.

After 16 years at the club, Jones is going to Toulouse for work reasons and 27-year-old player Ben Walker will take charge of the team after the weekend, along with Terry Northern and Keith Ford. United will struggle to beat last Saturday’s thumping 8-0 win over Cirencester United as a send-off for their popular boss. Jack Smythe scored five, with the other goals coming from James Mainstone, Scott Cameron and Paul McCarthy.

Outgoing boss Jones has backed Winterbourne United's new managerial trio of Ben Walker, Keith Ford and Terry Northam to make their mark over the next few weeks. Jones was due to step down after last weekend's 8-0 thrashing of beleaguered Cirencester United but has opted to take charge one more time for tomorrow's home match with Clanfield in Division One West, before departing to France.

He said: "Ben will command the respect of the lads, although he wants to concentrate on playing once he is back from injury. Keith and Terry have clocked up decades between them at the club and, between the three of them, they'll get things moving in the right direction."

New Team for Winterbourne - 25th October

Following the shock departure of manager Stewart Jones, who is moving to Toulouse, for work reasons, the Club has appointed a replacement management team blending ‘Old & New’. The new team is Ben Walker, Terry Northam and Keith Ford who take the reins with immediate effect.

Ben (left) has been a player with the Club for five seasons and is recovering at the moment from a cartlidge operation. Although only twenty seven Ben is well known and well respected in the Bristol area for both his commitment and ability. Terry Northam, after an illustrious career, with Yate Town, has been involved with Winterbourne since its entry into the Hellenic League. Terry has a wealth of experience which will integrate nicely with Ben's enthusiasm and connections in local football. Keith Ford has been associated with the Club as a player, coach and fan since his teens. Keith brings commitment, enthusiasm and motivational qualities to the dressing room which has to be seen to be believed.

Saturday’s result in beating Cirencester United 8-0 lays a ‘benchmark’ for their achievement this season as they look to get Winterbourne into a comfortable league position.

'End Of An Era' - 21st October

When Winterbourne United manager Stuart Jones (pictured) told his Chairman Robyn Maggs last Friday night that he had no option but to take the job offered by Airbus in their Toulouse factory it was not a complete surprise. Yet Robyn says “It was still a shock to hear it. It still hasn’t sunk in, so until he actually lands in France and I find I have some cigars left on a Saturday night, I don’t suppose it will”.

No one needs to be told that during the 15 years he has been in charge of the Hellenic One West club the standing of Winterbourne United has soared amongst it’s piers to a level unimaginable at the time he took over. Chairman Maggs said: “The club’s progress under Joner has seen us win the Bristol Premier Combination in 1995/96, the Gloucestershire County League in 2000/01 and the Hellenic League One West title twice in 2005/06 and again 2007/08; you can also chuck in a Senior Amateur Cup win and two GFA Trophy semi-finals as part of his accomplishments. Managing the first team must have been hard enough but how he found time to also run a boys side for nine years all the way to Under 18 level and to cap it all run the girls team for two years as well. This is the sort of energy and commitment to the cause that first became evident to me when, the then manager; Jessie Harper first introduced Stewart to the club at age 17. Joner was just as committed as a youngster, he would go out on the pitch and do whatever he was told to do, which was invariably to kick everything in sight. The majority of Joner’s playing career was at Yate Town; although he did enjoy a spell at Patchway with Kevin Horseman. At Yate he was part of a very successful reserve side that won everything the Suburban League had to offer plus GFA cups. It was from here he re-joined Winterbourne as first team manager in 1993. He did not cover himself in glory at first in fact he got us relegated from the County League at only his second attempt. Despite this I could see there was more to come, but I admit there were a few raised eyebrows when he received the Clubman of the Year award that year. It was the following season in 1995/96 when things started to happen and thankfully we have not looked back since. Today 15 years great years later, we find ourselves with a host of new friends and a mountain of fantastic memories, but sadly having to say goodbye, good luck and thanks to the guy who made it all happen”.

What happens next is a question that is a bit daunting and difficult to answer. Maggs added; “It will be impossible for anyone to emulate Stewart, but for now we need a bit of continuity in the changing room which is why we are lucky that Joner’s long time second in command, Terry Northam, can be around initially to help current assistant Keith Ford. After that I am pleased to say that previous manager and Bourne legend Dave Hemmings will be available to work with Keith. Neither Dave, nor Terry, wish to commit beyond the interim so for the longer term we will have to wait and see. Club policy has been to try and build from within but we may have to look outside on this occasion to find someone with the experience that is required to maintain our Hellenic status.

Players Targeted "All Positions" - 21st August

Winterbourne United manager Stewart Jones is targeting new players "for all positions" in the light of his side's dismal start to the season.

They followed up a 2-0 opening-day defeat at Slimbridge with a "shocking performance" in the 6-2 away mauling by Headington Amateurs and Jones, whose team have no game until Wednesday week's trip to face Harrow Hill, said: "With the greatest respect to Headington there are better teams in this league and it shows just how bad we were."

Confident Of Retaining Potts - 1st May

Winterbourne United boss Stewart Jones is confident of retaining the services of ace marksman Jimmy Potts (pictured), who finished the season with 36 league and cup goals to his name.

Potts is currently helping out struggling Chipping Sodbury Town but Jones said: "I'd like to think Jim will stay with us, as I hope all the lads will, because I'm determined to see us compete more strongly next season."