History
Tytherington Football Club was formed in 1896 by the local Headmaster Mr Emanuel and others including the Rev. John Bingley. Rev. Bingley stipulated that, to gain his support, the club should play in Amber & Black - his old college colours - Brasenose in Oxford.
In the early days the club played in the Wotton-Under-Edge League and travelled to away matches by Waggonetts, a four wheeled horse draw cart, with seats along both sides. The club played at many different grounds in the early days, one of which was Mill-Leaze Fields. This is the fields behind the village shop in Tytherington. They eventually found a permanent home at the Hardwicke Playing Fields. The club used the Swan Inn as their changing rooms until a new pavilion was erected by the Parish Council, on the Playing Fields in 1938.
In the 1920s Tytherington F.C. were suspended by the Gloucestershire Football Association for non payment of a fine. The fine followed a referee being jostled into an adjoining brook after what the home side felt were some dubious decisions! No Pay – no play, so Tytherington disbanded until 1932 when Tytherington Rocks F.C. was formed, joining The Bristol Suburban League. Ambrose Johnson was a Rocks player in the 30s and 40s and is still an ardent supporter today. War disrupted the local leagues but not before the club won the League & Cup double in the Iron Acton & District League in 1944-45. Rocks rejoined the Bristol Suburban League Division 1 in 1947. The same year a youth team called the Pebbles were formed and played in the Gloucestershire Junior Boy’s Association Football League. They were cup finalists in 1952-53 and League Champions in 1953-54. 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. In the early 50s Tytherington ran a Reserve side in the Stroud League. This second attempt to run a reserve team soon failed due to player shortage. In 1956-57 Rocks were losing finalists in the GFA Minor Cup however; the team spent most of the 1960s between Division Three and Division Five.
A joint effort between the Club, Cricket Club and the Parish Council saw the facilities upgraded in 1979-80, with new showers and toilet block together with electricity! Candlelight and Rocks famous tin bath were consigned to history. Three enthusi- asts were largely responsible for these improvements - Ron Holpin on the practical side, Tony Hennessy on the financial side and Dave Kemp for plumbing.
The Reserves reformed in Division 7 whilst under the manager Jack Parr the first team moved through the Divisions reaching Division 1 for the 1987-88 season. Two managers, Ron Holpin and Mike Lee led the Reserves to promotion and a Cup Final in three consecutive seasons between 1985 and 1987. In 1987-88 saw the formation of the third team joining Division 7 and at the same time Streamside Juniors were adopted as Tytherington Rocks Juniors. A floodlight training pitch, the result of hard voluntary work was opened by Ted Pitt, Ted Oakey and Ambrose Johnson. With Brian Lansdown as manager from 1988-89 Rocks entered Premier Division 2 and by 1993 arrived in Premier Division 1. Ground improvements continued with team dugouts and perimeter fencing.
As Champions of the Bristol & Suburban Premier League In 1996-97, it was shock and disappointment when their Glouces- tershire County League application was rejected. Undaunted, attention then turned to the clubhouse, a new bar, separate changing facilities, referee accommodation for both sexes and a spectator stand all raised the profile of the club and in
1997-98 this time the County League application was successful. With financial help from Nuclear Electric, Mother India Restaurant and Karly Kars the club had achieved County League Status. Stand seats arrived thanks to ex-player Keith Cameron’s generosity.
Under manager Shaun Honour the team survived a difficult first season but during the next four years enjoyed top half finishes and were GFA Challenge Trophy Finalists, League Cup Finalists and in 2003-04 were County League Runners-up. Managers Mickey Jefferies and Andy Mathias had prepared Tytherington for Hellenic League football. Hellenic League status Division 1 (West) arrived in 2004-05 and a 4th place finish in the first season. A new management team of Jamie Burton and Barry Granger achieved top half places in the next 3 seasons, 3rd place the best ever in 2007. The reserves also moved up to Div 1 in the Bristol Suburban League under Andy Jarvis. Season 2008/09 was the first season with Barry Granger as Manager and Assistant Paul Staddon, the team established themselves in the top half of the League all season, finally finishing in ninth position. The Reserves under Andy Jarvis challenged for a promotion place all season finally finishing third and gained promotion to Prem 2 of the Bristol Suburban League. Season 2009-2010 proved a difficult one for the Club. The first XI faltered after a promising start, after the loss of several key players, however the team played some excellent football at times and took points off the top teams, finally finishing eleventh. Our reserve Team battled relegation all season after finding the step up to Senior football a big one following promotion.
Season 2010-2011 was a mixed season losing most of the original side through injury and players moving on. But Barry managed to overcome these difficulties and finally finished eighth. The Reserves once again just managed to avoid relegation. Season 2011-2012 the Rocks were under new management, Manager Gary Powell and Assistant Jason Wood signed several new players and maintained a top of the league position for most of the season, finally finishing as Champi- ons 18 points clear of Old Woodstock. Unfortunately our ground did not meet the ground grading criteria required for promotion, however the Club are striving to ensure they meet the criteria this season, enabling promotion should they finish in a promotion place. The Reserves Management of Dave Franklin and Craig Wood did a fantastic job of finishing 6th in Prem 2 of the Bristol Suburban League, the highest position they have achieved so far.
In the early days the club played in the Wotton-Under-Edge League and travelled to away matches by Waggonetts, a four wheeled horse draw cart, with seats along both sides. The club played at many different grounds in the early days, one of which was Mill-Leaze Fields. This is the fields behind the village shop in Tytherington. They eventually found a permanent home at the Hardwicke Playing Fields. The club used the Swan Inn as their changing rooms until a new pavilion was erected by the Parish Council, on the Playing Fields in 1938.
In the 1920s Tytherington F.C. were suspended by the Gloucestershire Football Association for non payment of a fine. The fine followed a referee being jostled into an adjoining brook after what the home side felt were some dubious decisions! No Pay – no play, so Tytherington disbanded until 1932 when Tytherington Rocks F.C. was formed, joining The Bristol Suburban League. Ambrose Johnson was a Rocks player in the 30s and 40s and is still an ardent supporter today. War disrupted the local leagues but not before the club won the League & Cup double in the Iron Acton & District League in 1944-45. Rocks rejoined the Bristol Suburban League Division 1 in 1947. The same year a youth team called the Pebbles were formed and played in the Gloucestershire Junior Boy’s Association Football League. They were cup finalists in 1952-53 and League Champions in 1953-54. 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. In the early 50s Tytherington ran a Reserve side in the Stroud League. This second attempt to run a reserve team soon failed due to player shortage. In 1956-57 Rocks were losing finalists in the GFA Minor Cup however; the team spent most of the 1960s between Division Three and Division Five.
A joint effort between the Club, Cricket Club and the Parish Council saw the facilities upgraded in 1979-80, with new showers and toilet block together with electricity! Candlelight and Rocks famous tin bath were consigned to history. Three enthusi- asts were largely responsible for these improvements - Ron Holpin on the practical side, Tony Hennessy on the financial side and Dave Kemp for plumbing.
The Reserves reformed in Division 7 whilst under the manager Jack Parr the first team moved through the Divisions reaching Division 1 for the 1987-88 season. Two managers, Ron Holpin and Mike Lee led the Reserves to promotion and a Cup Final in three consecutive seasons between 1985 and 1987. In 1987-88 saw the formation of the third team joining Division 7 and at the same time Streamside Juniors were adopted as Tytherington Rocks Juniors. A floodlight training pitch, the result of hard voluntary work was opened by Ted Pitt, Ted Oakey and Ambrose Johnson. With Brian Lansdown as manager from 1988-89 Rocks entered Premier Division 2 and by 1993 arrived in Premier Division 1. Ground improvements continued with team dugouts and perimeter fencing.
As Champions of the Bristol & Suburban Premier League In 1996-97, it was shock and disappointment when their Glouces- tershire County League application was rejected. Undaunted, attention then turned to the clubhouse, a new bar, separate changing facilities, referee accommodation for both sexes and a spectator stand all raised the profile of the club and in
1997-98 this time the County League application was successful. With financial help from Nuclear Electric, Mother India Restaurant and Karly Kars the club had achieved County League Status. Stand seats arrived thanks to ex-player Keith Cameron’s generosity.
Under manager Shaun Honour the team survived a difficult first season but during the next four years enjoyed top half finishes and were GFA Challenge Trophy Finalists, League Cup Finalists and in 2003-04 were County League Runners-up. Managers Mickey Jefferies and Andy Mathias had prepared Tytherington for Hellenic League football. Hellenic League status Division 1 (West) arrived in 2004-05 and a 4th place finish in the first season. A new management team of Jamie Burton and Barry Granger achieved top half places in the next 3 seasons, 3rd place the best ever in 2007. The reserves also moved up to Div 1 in the Bristol Suburban League under Andy Jarvis. Season 2008/09 was the first season with Barry Granger as Manager and Assistant Paul Staddon, the team established themselves in the top half of the League all season, finally finishing in ninth position. The Reserves under Andy Jarvis challenged for a promotion place all season finally finishing third and gained promotion to Prem 2 of the Bristol Suburban League. Season 2009-2010 proved a difficult one for the Club. The first XI faltered after a promising start, after the loss of several key players, however the team played some excellent football at times and took points off the top teams, finally finishing eleventh. Our reserve Team battled relegation all season after finding the step up to Senior football a big one following promotion.
Season 2010-2011 was a mixed season losing most of the original side through injury and players moving on. But Barry managed to overcome these difficulties and finally finished eighth. The Reserves once again just managed to avoid relegation. Season 2011-2012 the Rocks were under new management, Manager Gary Powell and Assistant Jason Wood signed several new players and maintained a top of the league position for most of the season, finally finishing as Champi- ons 18 points clear of Old Woodstock. Unfortunately our ground did not meet the ground grading criteria required for promotion, however the Club are striving to ensure they meet the criteria this season, enabling promotion should they finish in a promotion place. The Reserves Management of Dave Franklin and Craig Wood did a fantastic job of finishing 6th in Prem 2 of the Bristol Suburban League, the highest position they have achieved so far.
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