Win City's loss is VT's gain (From Andover Advertiser)

Win City's loss is VT's gain

2:52am Sunday 31st May 2009

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THE PROVISIONAL constitution of the Southern League Division One S and W for the coming season has thrown up one or two surprises, most of them beneficial.

The league are at pains to stress that the line up is not, as yet, cast in stone and with clubs seemingly on the brink of folding, reforming, going into liquidation or merely losing the will to live up and down the country, there may still be further changes in the next few weeks.

The main loss is the local derby with Winchester City as they had their appeal heard last week regarding the points deduction for an administrative error. Although the fine was waved the points stood which meant that their relegation back to the Wessex League was confirmed and the membership of Taunton Town was secure.

Winchester will be replaced by VTFC, of whom Andover are well aware and Lions fans will see a much-changed ground when they visit next season. The local derby now will presumably be with Hungerford Town who are promoted as champions of the Hellenic League. The Bulpit Lane ground has also been transformed in recent years and is spick and span although their success does not seem to have attracted much of a fan base, judging by their attendances.

Frome Town FC have also been promoted from the Western League and, situated just across the Salisbury Plain and with a large and vociferous away support, they will be a welcome addition to the league. Badgers Hill is currently now called the AlderSmith Stadium and is yet another ground which has changed since the last time the Lions went there - a few years ago for a pre season ‘friendly’ when Danny Lewis had a few teeth rearranged by the home keeper who was sent off. Arguably the surprise newcomers are Bedfont Green FC who won the Combined Counties League and, as they ground share with Windsor and Eton, will take their rightful place in the division alongside their landlords.

Green’s home ground was not deemed suitable enough for the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League and so it gives Lions fans a second chance to visit Stag Meadow in the season and marvel at the resident green parakeets and sample the impressive tuck shop.

Two Bristol-based sides come into the division as both Mangotsfield United and Yate Town were relegated. Mangotsfield is a suburb in north west Bristol and their Cossham Street ground is compact and comfortable with plenty of cover although parking is very restricted. Yate Town’s Lodge Road ground is tree-lined and away from the town and is comfortable, and both sets of home fans are passionate and primarily Bristol Rovers leaning.

Apart from champions Truro City who are promoted, Lions lose the neighbouring trio of Burnham, Slough Town and Beaconsfield SYCOB, who bizarrely are all moved to the Midland Division. Lions fans will shed no tears over the loss of fixtures with Beaconsfield as one or two of their followers were more than a little aggressive which may have more than a little to do with a certain ex-Chelsea star who is about as popular in Southern League circles as rickets.

The loss of Slough Town is a blow for although it means no trips at all to Beaconsfield, Town’s landlords, it does mean the loss of revenue as the Rebels always take an away following, especially on a Saturday.

The full fixture list will be published on July 14 with the FA Cup and Trophy draws expected a couple of weeks earlier.

Locally the Wessex League have promoted Totton and Eling and Blackfield and Langley and relegated Horndean and Hamble ASSC. Their season begins on Saturday, August 8, or possibly a day earlier if there is a Friday night game at Totton and Eling as there has been in the past.

As yet there is no player news from the Portway other than Rory Williams and Mike Turvey signing for Gosport Borough but one transfer which has not happened, contrary to information received, is that of Nic Turpin. Amesbury Town’s new boss Nic Horner has been at pains to point out to the Advertiser that the Andover-based striker has not pledged his goalscoring talents to Laverstock and Ford, or anyone else at the moment.

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