Page 21 - Cribbs FC v Bideford 090923

The History of Bideford A.F.C. Cont…

Bideford were crowned champions by an impressive eleven point margin and
gained promotion for the first time in the club's history to the Southern League
Premier Division. 2013/14 saw Bideford finish in their highest ever league position
of 8th in the Premier Division but after four years at that level they were relegated
for the first time in their history back to Division One South in 2015/16. Bideford
won the Devon St Luke’s Bowl for a sixth time in 2022 by once again beating Exeter
City.

Several players from the club have progressed to Football League status, the most
recent of them being Tony Dennis and Shaun Taylor. Three former internationals
have played for the club at the end of their career, Welshman Leighton Phillips,
Dermot Curtis and Will Haynes from the Republic of Ireland.

Bideford have won the Western League ten times, as well as lifting silverware in
the Devon St Luke's Bowl (6 times), Devon Professional Cup (8 times) and Western
League Cup (4 times). They have also won the Western League Alan Young Cup
(twice), Western League Subsidiary Cup and the Westward Ho! cup. In FA
competitions, Bideford have reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup on four
occasions and reached the semi final of the FA Vase in 2003/04.
Manager Sean Joyce is an ex-professional footballer, who spent his career playing
for Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City and Torquay Utd. Joyce took over the role of
manager in 1998 with the club really struggling in the Western League and has
gone on to guide Bideford to five Western League titles, the Southern League
Division One South title, the Western League cup and two Devon St Luke’s Bowls.

BIDEFORD AFC PLAYER PROFILES 2023/24

Aaron Taylor
Age: 24 Position: Midfielder
Club captain Aaron is from Westward Ho! and joined us after being released by
Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2018. As a youngster Aaron attended Bideford
College and played his early football for Bideford Blues.
Adam Seedhouse Evans
Age: 24 Position: Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper Adam Seedhouse Evans joined the club from rivals Barnstaple Town
during the 2021/22 season having previously played for Cullompton Rangers. Adam
made an incredible four saves out of four in the penalty shootout in which Bideford
won the Devon St Luke's Cup in 2022.
Alex Byrne
Age: 26 Position: Defender
Alex Byrne is a former Exeter City youngster who spent some time on loan at
Weston-Super-Mare and Truro City before making a handful of first team
appearances for the Grecians. Alex signed for Weston-Super-Mare for whom he
played for just over a season then joined The Robins in 2019.