Match Preview

Bideford vs Fleet Town
Southern League Division One – South
Saturday 15th September 2018
3:00pm kick off
Sports Ground, Bideford

A Brief History of Fleet Town
Fleet Town were originally formed in 1890 as Fleet FC and played in the Aldershot and Basingstoke Leagues before joining the Hampshire League in 1961. They changed their name to Fleet Town in 1963. In 1978 they joined the Athenian League and remained there until 1984 when they were forced to drop out due to newly imposed ground requirements. After short spells in the Combined Counties League, the Surrey County League and the Chiltonian League they joined the Wessex League in 1989. Fleet Town were crowned Wessex League Champions in 1994/95 and were promoted to the Southern League Southern Division but after five years were relegated back to the Wessex League. After finishing runners-up in 2001/02 they were promoted to the Southern League Eastern Division. The next 12 seasons saw Fleet Town hop between Isthmian Division One, Southern Division One South & West and Southern Division One Central where they currently compete. In 2007/08 Fleet achieved their highest ever league finish of 2nd in Southern League Division One S&W but things have been more of a struggle in recent seasons. In 2017/18 they finished 19th in the East Division and have now transferred to the Southern League Division One South for the 2018/19 season. Some of the most notable players to have represented Fleet Town over the years include Andy Sinton who also managed the club, Mark Chamberlain, Hans Segers, Leroy Rosenior and most famous of all Clement Attlee who went on to become Prime Minister.

Fleet Town FC
Website: http://www.fleettownfc.co.uk
Twitter: @FCFleetTown

Form Guide

Both sides have had a disappointing start to the season and only have one victory to their name so far. Bideford beat Barnstaple Town in the league but their only other point came at home to Larkhall Athletic on the opening day. The Robins also fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup albeit after a replay against a good Bristol Manor Farm side. Fleet Town’s only win so far came in the FA Cup against Petersfield Town but they only have a point so far in the league thanks to a 2-2 draw with Bristol Manor Farm.

Fleet Town’s last six (LWLDLL)
08/09/18 Fleet Town 1 East Grinstead 2 (FA Cup Q1)
04/09/18 Fleet Town 1 Farnborough 3 (League Cup R1)
01/09/18 Fleet Town 2 Bristol Manor Farm 2 (League)
27/08/18 Thatcham Town 6 Fleet Town 0 (League)
25/08/18 Fleet Town 3 Petersfield Town 1 (FA Cup PR)
21/08/18 Fleet Town 0 Blackfield & Langley 2 (League)

Bideford's last six (DLDWLL)
04/09/18 Bristol Manor Farm 4 Bideford 2 (FA Cup PRr)
01/09/18 Slimbridge 3 Bideford 2 (League)
27/08/18 Bideford 1 Barnstaple Town 0 (League)
25/08/18 Bideford 2 Bristol Manor Farm 2 (FA Cup PR)
21/08/18 Yate Town 2 Bideford 0 (League)
18/08/18 Bideford 1 Larkhall Athletic 1 (League)

Previous meetings:
08/10/16 Fleet Town 2 Bideford 1 (FA Trophy PR)