Page 23 - Brislington FC v Shepton Mallet 271121

Shepton Mallet FC - A history

Shepton Mallet Town FC originated from the amalgama on of three local teams in 1933,
and they won the Somerset Senior League Premier Division tle in 1949,1959,1974 and
1975, as well as li ing the Somerset Senior Cup in 1950 and 1965.

Manager Richard Fox took the club into the Western League in 1976, finishing runners up
in their first season and gaining promo on to the Premier Division. Relegated two seasons
later, ex.Bristol City player Bryan Drysdale regained promo on for the side in season 1981
-2 when they won the 1 Division tle, but four years later at the end of the season 1985-6
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the original club folded and dropped out of the Western League.
A new club called Shepton Mallet AFC was formed for season 1987-8 star ng back in the
County league in division 2, and reaching the Premier division three seasons later a er two
promo ons. Manager Alan O’Leary brought them their only success in the 1990s, winning
the Somerset Senior Cup in 1997-8 a er a thrilling final against local rivals Radstock Town.

Then a er a 15 year absence, manager Roger Smith took the side back into the Western
League a er winning the Somerset Premier League tle in season 2000-1. A respectable 7 th
placed finish followed, as did Smith’s resigna on early the following season, before former
players Gary Banfield and his assistant Jason Neale took over and achieved another decent
finish in 9 spot.
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A dip in fortune then followed, the club invariably finishing near the bo om of the table
and flir ng with relega on more than once, as managers Shane Smith, Malcolm Beck and
Mark(Dusty)Ford followed. Ex Castle Cary manager Kevan Davis then gave the club some
stability and higher placed finishes with four seasons in charge up to 2009, before another
regular turnover in the following three seasons saw Keith Brown, Chris Moun ord, Glynn
Shaw and Benji Tricker come and go.

The inspired appointment of ex Paulton Rovers manager Andy Jones and assistant Ben
Cleverly then saw four seasons of success with the promo on in 2013-14, then two top 10
finishes in the Premier Division. A number of former Bristol City and Rovers players
featured in this period, such as Sco Murray, Louis Carey, Steve Phillips, Joe Burnell and Jon
French.
A er a few weeks with Rob Cousins in charge, Craig Loxton was appointed in September
2016, and in season 2017-18 along with his co-manager Jon Burr achieved a highest league
posi on to date, 6 , as well as coming runners up a er AET in the Les Phillips Cup Final
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against Buckland Athle c. Craig remains in charge, with John Durbin as co-manager ad who
has previously managed Hengrove Athle c.