Bideford will begin their Southern League Division One South & West 2016/17 campaign with a visit to Mangotsfield United on Saturday. It will be the first meeting between the sides since 7th January 2012 when Kevin Squire and Ian Sampson (2) fired The Robins to a 3-1 win at Cossham Street in our title winning season.

Four years later as we were falling out of the Premier Division, Mangotsfield achieved a steady 14th position in Division One and will no doubt prove to be tricky opposition on the opening day. "The Mangos" have been in good form in pre-season with five wins and two losses, the defeats coming at the hands of higher league opposition in the shape of Weston-Super-Mare of the National League South and Bristol Rovers of League One. The return of Lewis Powell from Taunton Town will make them a dangerous side going forward. Powell netted an impressive 35 times in the league last season as Taunton narrowly missed out on promotion. 2016/17 will be Mangotsfield's 65th season and their 17th as a Southern League club.

Bideford will be hoping to get off to a good start in what will no doubt prove to be a very tough season with the ultimate aim of getting back into the Premier Division as soon as possible. Sean Joyce has worked some magic in the summer to bring Ben Watson, Paul Hider and Steve Orchard back to the club in addition to other new signings James Richards, Tom Moody and Will Richards. Despite budget restrictions Joyce is happy with the squad he has put together and believes Bideford have the hunger and desire to mount a challenge against the bigger spenders this season.

Mangotsfield United FC
Cossham Street
Mangotsfield
South Glos
BS16 9EN
Tel: 0117 956 0119
Website: http://www.mufc-online.co.uk/
Twitter: @MangotsfieldUtd