Page 7 - Ashton & Backwell FC

Club History

FC came into existence.
Jim Biggins was elected Chairman and the Ashton colours of Maroon and Blue were adopted as
was the Backwell Utd nickname ’The Stags' which was incorporated into the new club crest, along
with the motto 'Ubi Concordia ibi Victoria' which translates as 'Where there is unity, there is
victor.

Ashton & Backwell Utd form part of the Ashton FC group alongside Ashton Boys & Ashton Gris
and collectively they hold the FA charter standard 'Community Club' status. Tire clubs first season
saw the first learn reach the final of the Somerset county league cup where they lost out to a last-
minute penalty against Shirehampton. The Youth team ensured silverware however finishing as
champions of tire SYFL North Division and securing the dubs first promotion. 11/12 looked likely
to the Toolstation League when a seven-match winning run meant that a point at home to nearest
rivals Cheddar would clinch the only promotion spot, however a home defeat followed by a point
at Taunton saw the Stags miss out to the Cheese Men'. Another last-minute penalty saw the youth
fail to bring home the SYFL cup losing 1-0 to Mangotsfield Utd.
In 2012/13 a 3rd place finish was enough to secure promotion to the Tool station Western League
Div.1. The U18 Sunday side finished as Runners up to Brislington in the Bristol U18 combination
2013/14 was a season of consolidation adjusting to life in the Toolstation Western league, although
the U18's provided some silverware finishing as champions in the U18 Combination. Richard
Coombes was appointed manager for the 14/15 and the dub challenged for honours before a loss
of form in the spring meant that the Stags finished in 8th place with the consolation of qualifying
for the FA Cup for the first time. The reserves were beaten finalists in the Somerset County Div.
2 Cup the same fate befell the U21's however this was the only defeat they suffered that season
as they ran away with the U21 Combination title.
15/16-Began with a slow start but a tremendous run of victories throughout the winter months
saw The Stags briefly top live Division 1 table before a disastrous return of 2 points from a possible
12 over the Easter period resulted in a late season collapse. Going into the last game at Wincanton
a win would guarantee 5th spot but a defeat and results elsewhere meant another 8th place finish.
16/17-Was an inconsistent one. when from week to week we would fluctuate between a team
who could beat anyone to a team anyone could beat. Unlike the previous two season we were
never realty in the promotion mix, however, this did not prevent us from a highest ever finish of
7th A young Reserve side punched above their weight to finish 4th in Somerset Division 2 West
and clinch Promotion to Division One West for 2017/18. The Youth team slipped back into the
Floodlight League North Division but enjoyed notable victories over W-S-M and Clevedon Towa
2017/18 sees a new Management team with Paul Wearing stepping up from assistant to Manager
and Richard Ford taking up the Head Coach role and they are confident that with another years
Western League experience under their belts that the squad is ready to make a concerted
challenge for Promotion. The evergreen Everett Welch completes the team as Physio. Nick Smart,
Mike Radnedge and Man Southern will look to consolidate the Reserves place In a higher division.
Martin Peters and Mark Fitton take over the Youth team Ashton Boys was founded in 1994 by
Terry Hazel The club started on Greville Smyth Park in the shadow of Ashton Gate stadium. The
dub developed to become one of the largest in the country with up to 400 players per season.
The ethos of football for all’ saw the dub regularly run 2 or even 3 teams per age group. An Ashton
Girls and Senior section were formed before the latter broke away to join the Ashton & Backwell
Utd set up.