Tytherington Rocks F.C.

Tytherington Rocks
Full name Tytherington Rocks Football Club
Nickname(s) The Rocks
Founded 1932
Ground Hardwicke Playing Field,
Tytherington, South Gloucestershire
Chairman England Ted Travell
Manager Lukasz Cabaj
League Hellenic Football League
Division One West
2014–15 Hellenic Football League
Division One West, 15th

Tytherington Rocks F.C. is a football club based in Tytherington, near Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.

They were formed in 1932 and Joined the Bristol and Suburban Association Football League . They continued to fluctuate throughout the leagues until they gained the correct ground grading and won the Premier Division One in 1997–98.

They joined the Gloucestershire County League in 1998 and after five seasons won promotion, finishing second in 2003–04.

For the 2004–05 season they became members of the Hellenic Football League Division One West, the highest level the club has achieved. They are managed by Lukasz Cabaj and have finished in the top half of the Hellenic League Division One West for the past five seasons, winning the title in the 2011–12 and 2013–14 seasons.

History

Bristol and Suburban Association Football League (1932–1998)

In 1932 Tytherington Rocks F.C. was formed and joined The Bristol Suburban League, playing mostly in the second and third divisions until the beginning of the Second World War. Despite a shortage of kit and supplies Tytherington managed to raise a team during those years, playing in the Iron Acton & District League and later in the Wotton & District League. Ambrose Johnson was a Rock player in the 1930s and later in the 40s. He is the only one left alive from the 30s team to tell the story.

In 1944–45 the club won the League & Cup double in the Iron Acton & District League. In 1945–46 Tytherington played in the Wotton & Dursley League and finished runners-up in the league and won the Berkeley Hospital Cup, beating Chipping Sodbury 5–4 in the final at Charfield. When the Bristol & Suburban League restarted in 1947–48 the Rocks Applied and was accepted into the First Division. This gave them Senior Amateur status in the Cup Competitions and they performed very well until being eliminated by one of Bristol’s top clubs Bristol St George. Rocks were leading 4–0 at half-time but eventually lost 5–4.

In 1947–48 Tytherington formed a youth team who were called the Pebbles. They played in the Gloucestershire Junior Boy’s Association Football League. They played in this league until it disbanded in 1954–55. In the six years they were in the league, they reached the final of the Cup in 1952–53 but lost to Winterbourne Juniors 3–2 at Alveston. The next season they finished League Champions.

In 1948–49 Rocks were drawn home to Thornbury Town in the G.F.A Senior Amateur Cup, there were 400 spectators at the game but Rocks were firmly beaten 4–0.

Rocks struggled in the first two seasons back in the Suburban League and were relegated on both occasions, but they bounced back in 1949–50 winning promotion back to Division two after finishing runners-up to St Aldhelms.

In the early 50s Tytherington ran a Reserve side in the Stroud League but it only ran for a couple of seasons due to a lack of players. They did however reach the final of the Berkeley Hospital Cup in 1953, beating Wickwar 5–4 in extra time. This had been the second attempt to run a Reserve side; the other was before the war, when they played in the Wotton & Dursley League.

In 1956–57 Rocks reached the final of the G.F.A. Minor Cup but went down 5–1 to De-Veys at the Electricity Sports ground at St. Phillips. Through the 60s the club played most of the time in Division Three but by the end of the decade they had gradually slipped down the league to Division Five.

In 1973–74 Rocks gained promotion from Division Five when they finished runners-up to Barton Hill Rangers. The highlight of the season was beating Barton Hill 3–2 at home after having a player sent-off early in the first half. Tytherington played the next four seasons in Division Four before being relegated back to Division five in 1977–78. After a long struggle to get the facilities upgraded a new shower / toilet and storage area was eventually completed and opened for the start of the 1979–80 season. This had been a joint effort between the Football Club the Cricket Club and the Parish Council the latter providing the finance for installation of the electricity supply. This was the end of candlelight and the old tin bath for which Rocks had become famous throughout the league.

Most of the enthusiasm for the project stemmed from Ron Holpin on the practical side, Tony Hennessy on the financial side and Dave Kemp from the Cricket Club installed the plumbing. This coincided with the formation of a Reserve side that were elected to Division Seven of the Bristol & Suburban League. In 1982–83 Rocks first team were promoted to Division Four, they had finished fourth in Division five, but the league restructured their divisions and put Rocks up.

Jack Parr was appointed manager in 1983–84 and he was to transform the club, leading them to promotion from Division Four to Division One and the Rocks kicked of season 1987–88 in that division. He also took Rocks to the G.F.A. Intermediate Cup Semi-final but lost to Fishponds Athletic 5–1.

Under the management of Ron Holpin and later Mike Lee the Reserves followed with promotion in three consecutive seasons between 1985–1987 and reached the final of the G.F.A. Primary Cup in 1986–87 but lost 2–0 to Ibstock in extra time.

In 1987–88 saw the formation of the third team playing in Division Seven of the Bristol Suburban League. The team had been Streamside U16s the previous season and in their first season in senior football finished fourth in the division and were promoted to Division Five missing out the Sixth Division.

This season also seen the club adopt Streamside Junior Football Club and they became known as Tytherington Rocks Juniors.

In 1987 the new floodlight training area was opened; this was an area to the right of the pavilion that had been covered in brambles and was very uneven ground. It was levelled with the hire of a J.C.B. and volunteer labour from the club. It was very hard work but has been beneficial to the club throughout the years. Three ex-Rocks old boys Ted Oakey, Ted Pitt and Ambrose Johnson officially opened it.

Brian Lansdown took over the manager’s job in 1988–89 and led the team into Premier Division Two. The first team hovered around mid-table for a couple of seasons, before being promoted to Premier Division One in 1993–94. The club started to improve the ground at this stage, erecting a rope around the pitch on first team match days and also provided dugouts for substitutes and managers to sit in if required. In 1994–95 the club finished third in the Premier Division and further improvements were made to the perimeter fence around the pitch in the form of steal tubing to replace the rope on three sides.

In 1996–97 Rocks finished Champions of the Bristol & Suburban Premier League and applied for promotion to the Gloucestershire County League but were rejected and this was a big disappointment to all concerned at the club.

Meanwhile the Reserves team had been doing very well gradually climbing the league, they finished runners-up in Division Two.

With all the success on the field something needed to be done to upgrade the facilities to accommodate the higher grades of football. The outer appearance of the Pavilion remains the same, but inside there has been a transformation. A bar has appeared together with separate home and away changing facilities, which includes showers for both teams and separate changing facilities for referees both male and female. All this had to be achieved to gain entry into the Gloucestershire County League. This was achieved through the efforts of builders, plumbers, fundraisers and just plain labourers from within the club. An estimate £10,000 was spent over two years. During that time the players were still paying a £20 signing on fee and £2 a week match fee. They also erected a small stand on the halfway line for spectators to stand under in bad weather conditions.

Organisations like Nuclear Electric gave £500 towards the cost of the fencing around the playing area and Mother India Restaurant sponsored the playing kit to the tune of £600. Karly Kars took on the sponsorship of the kit for the next five seasons investing £500 a season.

1997–98 saw another successful season for all three teams all winning promotion. The First team won the Premier Division 1 of the Bristol & Suburban League for the second season running, the Reserves were Champions of Division One and the ‘A’ team were promoted from Division Five.

Gloucestershire County League (1998–2004)

The club applied to the Gloucestershire County League again and this time they were accepted. 20 seats were fixed permanently in the stand. These seats were purchased by Keith Cameron an ex-player, whose playing days were brought to an end when he broke his ankle and had to have pins inserted. He is still with the club today.

The first season in the Gloucestershire County League was a struggle and a new manager Shaun Honour was appointed and in the end the club survived, finishing in sixteenth place but clear of relegation. In 1999–2000 a mid-table position was achieved. 2000–01 under the management of Mikey Jefferies the Rocks saw their best season so far, finishing fourth in the league and reaching the G.F.A. Challenge Trophy final at Oaklands Park Almondsbury. Leading 2–1 at one time against Hellenic Premier League rivals Yate Town; the Rocks conceded three goals to eventually lose 4–2. In 2001–02 they achieved fifth place in the table. Season 2003–04 under the management of Andy Mathias, the club had a very successful season in their long history. They finished runners-up in the Gloucestershire County League and were losing finalists in the League Cup Competition.

Hellenic Football League (since 2004)

Having applied for promotion to the Hellenic League and their facilities passing the Ground Grading Criteria the club decided to take the opportunity to play at a higher level of football.

The first season 2004–05 in the Hellenic League Division 1 (West) was very successful, challenging for the title with three other teams for most of the season. The team eventually finished in fourth position after losing at home to Clanfield on the last day of the season. Nevertheless the club's committee was very pleased with the outcome of the first season at the higher level of football.

Season 2005–06 under the new management of Jamie Burton and Barry Granger was the most successful to date finishing third in a promotion place and reaching the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup losing to Ardley United over two legs.

Season 2006/2007 was the third season in the Hellenic league and the team were striving for a top three position all season, however they finally finished 5th again under the guidance of Jamie Burton and Barry Granger.

In 2007/08 Rocks had a good start to this season maintaining a run of good form leading up to the new year, when they were in 6th position and decided to apply for promotion to the Premier League, however over the course of the remaining season they were drawing too many matches and with only four matches left the Manager Jamie Burton resigned and Barry Granger took over the reins for the remainder of the season. 'The Rocks' finally finished in eighth position.

Honours

Iron Acton and District League


Wotton and District League


Bristol and Suburban League


Gloucestershire County League


Gloucestershire Football Association


Hellenic League


Other

Records

– 1st Hellenic League Division 1 West (204th in the English Football League System) (2011–2012)
– 1st Hellenic League Division 1 West (204th in the English Football League System) (2013–2014)

Managerial history

Name Period
England Shaun Honour 1998–2000
England Mickey Jefferies 2000–2001
England Andy Mathias 2001–2005
England Jazz Wright 2005
England Jamie Burton 2005–2008
England Barry Grainger 2008–2011
England Gary Powell 2011–2014
Poland Lukasz Cabaj 2014–

Current staff

Position Name
President England Ron Holpin
Chairman England Ted Travell
Secretary England Graham Shipp
Treasurer England Mervyn Lacey
Photographer England Mervyn Lacey
Manager Poland Lukasz Cabaj
Reserve Manager England Richard Lee

Average attendances

Cumulative Average – 60

Previous league positions (1973–)

Season League Position Notes
1973–74 Suburban League Division 5 2nd Promoted
1974–75 Suburban League Division 4
1975–76 Suburban League Division 4
1976–77 Suburban League Division 4
1977–78 Suburban League Division 4 Relegated
1978–79 Suburban League Division 5
1979–80 Suburban League Division 5
1980–81 Suburban League Division 5
1981–82 Suburban League Division 5 4th Promoted
1982–83 Suburban League Division 4 Promoted
1983–84 Suburban League Division 3 2nd Promoted
1984–85 Suburban League Division 2
1985–86 Suburban League Division 2
1986–87 Suburban League Division 2 Promoted
1987–88 Suburban League Division 1 Promoted
1988–89 Suburban League Premier Division 2
1989–90 Suburban League Premier Division 2
1990–91 Suburban League Premier Division 2
1991–92 Suburban League Premier Division 2
1992–93 Suburban League Premier Division 2
1993–94 Suburban League Premier Division 2 1st Champions and Promoted
1994–95 Suburban League Premier Division 1 3rd
1995–96 Suburban League Premier Division 1
1996–97 Suburban League Premier Division 1 1st Champions
1997–98 Suburban League Premier Division 1 1st Champions and Promoted
1998 Joined the Gloucestershire County League
1998–99 Gloucestershire County League 16th
1999-00 Gloucestershire County League 8th
2000–01 Gloucestershire County League 4th
2001–02 Gloucestershire County League 9th
2002–03 Gloucestershire County League 5th
2003–04 Gloucestershire County League 2nd Promoted
2004 Joined the Hellenic League
2004–05 Hellenic League Division 1 West 4th
2005–06 Hellenic League Division 1 West 3rd
2006–07 Hellenic League Division 1 West 5th
2007–08 Hellenic League Division 1 West 8th
2008–09 Hellenic League Division 1 West 9th
2009–10 Hellenic League Division 1 West 11th
2010–11 Hellenic League Division 1 West 8th
2011–12 Hellenic League Division 1 West 1st Champions
2012–13 Hellenic League Division 1 West 3rd
2013–14 Hellenic League Division 1 West 1st Champions
2014–15 Hellenic League Division 1 West 15th
2015–16 Hellenic League Division 1 West

External links

Coordinates: 51°35′52.49″N 2°28′51.45″W / 51.5979139°N 2.4809583°W / 51.5979139; -2.4809583

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