TT BLOG
As we continue to support local teams at TorquayTalk, Lewis Breslan of @NewtonSpurs and Taylor Johnson of @OfficialBAFC tell us about Newton Abbot Spurs and Buckland Athletic.
“The first team squad is brilliantly built with vibrant young talent from local football development programmes“
HISTORY
Newton Abbot Spurs were formed in August 1938 by Eric Butler, Fred Stopp and Terry Waye, and our current home ground is the A&S South West Ltd Recreational Ground in the heart of Newton Abbot.
LEAGUE
Our first team currently compete in the Premier East South West Peninsula League, and we also have a Reserve team who compete in the Devon Football League South and West Division, and the Third Team who compete in the South Devon Football League.
FORM
Most notably, our first team recently defeated AFC St Austell in the first game of their 2020/2021 campaign, in their Extra Preliminary FA Cup fixture at home. We now face Larkhall Athletic FC at home in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on the 12th September, who ply their trade in the Southern League Division One South.
MANAGEMENT
Our management team for the first team consists of Adam Dyson and Chris Metters, both of whom are player managers, assisted by Will Small. The whole club is solely reliant on volunteers, and is run by club legends from top to bottom, from the committee to the groundsmen, the tea hut to the youth teams.
FIXTURES
As aforementioned, our next big game is the home fixture in the FA Cup Preliminary Round against Larkhall Athletic FC, one which we will need all the support we can get. Admission prices are £5 for adults and £2.50 for U16’s and OAPS. Tickets can be pre-ordered specifically for this game by emailing newtonabbotspurs@gmail.com, and we’d like to politely remind spectators we are strictly limited to a crowd of 300 due to COVID-19 regulations, based on a first come first served system.
THE SQUAD
The management team made some significant signings in the summer, and had a very successful pre-season leading up to the start of the 2020/2021 campaign. The first team squad is brilliantly built with vibrant young talent from local football development programmes, and older heads who have played the game and add the much needed stability and game management. The feedback we had from visitors to the ground and on social media about how we played in the previous FA Cup fixture was a testament to the hard work put in by all during the off season, and we hope to carry that stylish football into the next round in front of a sell out crowd. It’s been 56 years since our last FA Cup campaign, with our best run taking us to the 2nd qualifying round. We’re looking to take it further this time around, and relish the opportunity to play against much higher opposition.
DIRECTIONS
The A&S South West Ltd Recreational Ground is situated within a 5 minute walk from Newton Abbot train station, and also has easy access from local bus routes. The ground postcode is TQ12 2AR. Supporters from other clubs would truly benefit from visiting the Recreation Ground to watch the mighty spurs, to get a real sense of local grassroots football driven by pure passion and love of the game by people who really care for their local club. The club welcome any support and hope to see you at The Rec next Saturday and throughout the season, as we all get our football fixes post lockdown.
COYS – Lewis
“We take pride in being able to provide a worthwhile experience for all of the family”
HISTORY
Buckland Athletic are based in Newton Abbot and currently play in the Toolstation Western League – the ninth tier of English football. The Bucks play their games at Homers Heath, which has been their home since 2005. The ground was officially opened in a friendly against Plymouth Argyle. The club were first established in 1977 as a youth team and joined the Torbay Pioneer League.
LEAGUE
The Bucks won promotion to the Western League in 2011 and have been there ever since. The furthest they’ve reached in the FA Cup is the 2nd qualifying round in 2012/13 where they were beaten by National League South side Bath City. More recently the Bucks reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase in 2016/17 before falling to Bromsgrove Sporting.
MANAGEMENT
The current manager is Paul Froude who took charge in December. Froude’s managerial experience includes spells at Newton Abbot Spurs and Stoke Gabriel. He is assisted by Danny Gaze, who is still an active member of the squad primarily playing at either left-back or centre-back.
THE SQUAD
The squad is a unique mix of youth and experience that play an exciting, passionate brand of football with goals guaranteed. The main talisman is Ryan Bush, a plucky centre-forward who always bags himself a goal for the Bucks by being in the right place at the right time. Another player to look out for is Austen Booth, who recently rejoined from Truro City. A versatile midfielder, Booth is capable of anything in the heart of the midfield, from a perfectly timed tackle, having the vision to find a teammate with a defence-splitting pass, and he can even score a worldie or two as well!
FIXTURES
The Bucks have a very busy start to the season, as they play eight games in September alone. They beat Bridgwater Town 4-2 on Saturday, then host Keynsham Town (12/9), Bridport (15/9), Cadbury Heath (19/9) and Chipping Sodbury (26/9) whilst visiting Tavistock (9/9), Plymouth Parkway (22/9) and ending the month with another game against Bridgwater on their turf (29/9).
DIRECTIONS
TUFC supporters should visit Homers Heath because not only are we a club with similar colours and a short distance away, but we take pride in being able to provide a worthwhile experience for all of the family. Whether its the promotional deals at the bar, the top notch food from the kitchen or the atmosphere around the stands itself, Buckland Athletic will do its utmost to make your visit to Homers Heath memorable. The passion of the Buckland fans reflects to the players on the pitch and the standard of football will surprise many that are unfamiliar with the Western League. To get to Homers Heath from Plainmoor simply head to the South Devon Expressway and take the Kingskerswell exit. At the roundabout, take the first exit to Kingskerswell Road where the ground will be visible on your left. Approximate time – 12 minutes.
TORQUAYTALK 