Forget all that Argyle & Exeter business... This is Bideford!

[paddy420]

January '10 - 2009/10​

Sat 02/01/10 - Match Report

Bideford 2-1 Longwell Green, Western Premier (att: 249)
Bideford start off 2010 with a win today. Shane Tolley opened the scoring on the 19th minute & Nick Skinner scored on the 69th minute. Longwell pulled one back with a penalty on 73 minutes.


Sun 03/01/10 - News Article

Top 10 managers to look out for in 2010
9th - Paul Grundy (Bideford): It's his first job in football management & he's taken Bideford to the top of the Western Premier with some good performances. Despite the uncertainty of the chairman & transfer embargos being put in place Grundy has continued to keep The Robins on top of the league & even beat Brigg Town from a level above Bideford.


Sat 09/01/10 - Match Report

Bitton 2-0 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 79)
A low turn out from the crowd saw the leagues top two sides go at it in Bitton. The hosts took all the points with two goals in the first half.


Sat 16/01/10 - Match Report

Bideford 4-0 Larkhall, Western Premier (att: 244)
A return to winning ways in style for Bideford. Craig Rae scored his first ever goal for The Robins on 13 minutes before Lee Cryer doubled the score 5 minutes later. Nick Skinner converted a penalty on 71 minutes & Cryer finished the job with his 2nd goal of the game on 83 minutes.


Tue 19/01/10 - Match Report

Ilfracombe Town 0-0p Bideford, Devon FA St. Lukes Cup 2nd Round (att: 96)
Bideford are through to the 3rd Round of the County Cup after beating local rivals Ilfracombe Town on penalties. The Robins squad consisted of mostly youth & fringe players & they managed to win 6-5 on penalties.


Sat 23/01/10 - Match Report

Radstock Town 2-1 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 212)
Lee Cryer put Bideford 1-0 up on 23 minutes but in the 2nd half Radstock Town turned the game with a goal to pull level on 61 minutes. The match took a further twist at the end as Robins defender Craug Rae brought down a Radstock striker in the box. Rae was sent off & Radstock converted the resulting penalty.


Sat 30/01/10 - Match Report

Corsham Town 0-2 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 113)
Nick Skinner continued the recent consistency of penalties in Bideford games by converting one on 16 minutes. Lee Cryer put the game beyond doubt with a 74th minute screamer from outside the box.


End of Month Report
Pld: 6
W: 4 (one on penalties)
D: 0
L: 2
F-A: 9-5
Top Scorer: Lee Cryer (4 goals)​

 

[paddy420]

February '10 - 2009/10​

Sat 06/02/10 - Match Report

Bideford 0-1 Barnstaple Town, Western Premier (att: 236)
Top plays bottem in the 2nd Atlantic Highway derby of the season. The two clubs have experienced very different seasons but that didn't stop Barnstaple pulling off a suprise win thanks to a Robbie Herrera own goal deep into stoppage time. Bideford hold the lead in the Western Premier on goal difference with Bitton.


Sat 13/02/10 - Match Report

Sherborne Town 0-0 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 254)
In wet & windy Sherborne Bideford were held to a 0-0 draw, Lee Cryer damaged his achilles tendon in the game & will be out for 3 to 4 months. In other news Sylvain Legwinski has taken up the vacant coaching role at the club after Paul Braham was promoted to assistant manager. Legwinski will combine his coaching role with his midfield duties.


Sat 20/02/10 - Match Report

Bideford 0-0 Calne Town, Western Premier (att: 236)
Another goalless draw for The Robins as Bitton climb above Bideford in the league.​

Sat 27/02/10 - Match Report

Willand Rovers 3-1 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 151)
The final game of a less then impressive month for The Robins. Bideford drop to 3rd in the Western Premier after having a 1-0 advantage at half time through a Joe Woods goal in added time. Transfer news: Tom Stocco will sign for Peninsula League Premier Division side & FA Vase quarter finalists Elburton Villa at the end of the season.

​

Sun 28/02/10 - Match Report

Takeover back on with a new bid
This time it's the suporters' trust who will approach Russell Steele with an offer that will see the fans take controll of their club.


End of Month Report
Pld: 4
W: 0
D: 2
L: 2
F-A: 1-4
Top Scorer: Joe Woods (1 goal)​

 

[KidBlink56]

Whew! It's gonna go right down the wire there isn't it? Good luck.

 

[paddy420]

Yeah, 8 games left & 3 points off the top. 2nd place is play offs but I have no idea what crazy system it's using coz it seems to take 1 team from each division for a mass play off. Hopefully it won't come down to that as we've played most of the 'big' teams twice

 

[sass101]

Very nice job ! Hope you do like AstonMatu with Cockfosters

And very nice layout too !

 

[paddy420]

Thanks I'd rather not do another 'bottem to top in as little time possible' story... if it happens then it happens but id like this story to have it's ups & downs... maybe stall in the blue square south for 3 seasons... or become a yo-yo club between league two & blue square premier ect..

---------- Post added at 06:35 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 01:34 PM ----------

March '10 - 2009/10​

Sat 06/03/10 - Match Report

Street 0-0 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 404)
Bideford, now in 3rd place in the Western Premier, travelled away to 2nd place Street in a must win game for The Robins if they are to continue the push for the league title. Despite not winning the game, a draw was a good result as leaders Bitton lost at Wellington.​

Tue 09/03/10 - Match Report

Bideford 2-0 Clyst Rovers, Devon FA St. Lukes Cup Quarter Final (att: 115)
Another taste of the action for those at Bideford who don't normally compete in the first team in tonights Quarter Final of the County Cup. First team regular Shane Tolley opened the scoring in the 25th minute & Luke Drake scored his first goal for The Robins on 66 minutes. The Semi Final will see Bideford host the Plymouth Argyle Reserve side.​

Sat 13/03/10 - Match Report

Bideford 2-1 Wellington, Western Premier (att: 239)
3 well earned points for The Robins despite being a goal behind untill the 63rd minute when Shane Tolley scored with a header from a corner. Richard Driver is begining to make a bit of a name for himself here at Bideford & he scored on 83 minutes to win the match. This result puts Bideford back into 2nd place, 1 point behind Street.​

Mon 15/03/10 - News Article

The Consortium are back
More rumours suggesting a consortium of business men involving a former footballer are interested in buying Bideford AFC. Sky Sports News caught up with Robins boss Paul Grundy to finally hear his views on the takeover situation that has left the club in a state of uncertainty for months now: "I wish something would just sort itself out... this whole takeover business is starting to frustrate me & my squad."​

Sat 20/03/10 - Match Report

Bideford 0-0 Dawlish Town, Western Premier (att: 241)
Bideford's frustrating run of inconsistancy continuted as Dawlish held The Robins to a goalless draw at The Sports Ground. The top three change as Bitton regain top spot & are two points clear of 2nd place Bideford & now 3rd place Street.​

Fri 26/03/10 - News Article

​

Grundy's rallying call
It's not been the greatest two months for Bideford AFC as they have seen their side lose top spot of the Western Premier & incredibly inconsistant performances that have seen just 1 win since the start February. Robins no. 1 Grundy has issued this statement: "This is what football is all about, ups & downs. As I said from day 1 of this season, our aim is to win the league & get into the Southern League set up & in order to do this, the lads need to start playing better; there is no money for replacements right now so it's down to what we have at the moment to see us through."​

Sat 27/03/10 - Match Report

Ilfracombe Town 1-0 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 169)
Ilfracombe has become a bit of a bogey team for The Robins over this season, with a league defeat earlier in the season & only just scraping through on penalties in the County Cup, The Robins faithfull were hoping that bad run would come to an end today but this wasn't to be. Ilfracombe scored the games only goal on 81 minutes & Bideford drop to 3rd in the table, 3 points behind 1st place Bitton & 2nd place Street.​

End of Month Report
Pld: 5
W: 2
D: 2
L: 1
F-A: 4-2
Top Scorer: Shane Tolley (2 goals)​

 

[paddy420]

April '10 - 2009/10​

Sat 03/04/10 - Match Report

Bideford 3-0 Bristol Manor Farm, Western Premier (att: 233)
It's crunch time in the Western Premier as Bideford desperately try to recapture the early season form that saw them hold top spot for a long time. With the score 0-0 at half time, The Robins fans must have thought this was another case of end of season nerves but on 51 minutes, top scorer Shane Tolley opened the scoring & Joe Woods nodded in a 2nd on 58 minutes. With the result beyond doubt, Matt Hockley finished the game off in injury time. With only 3 games left to play Bideford are now 2nd & just 1 point behind Bitton.


Mon 05/04/10 - News Article

Western Premier looks foward to an exciting end!
With just 3 league games left to play Bitton lead the division with 59 points, followed up by Bideford on 58 points & Street on 58 points just below on goal difference; 4th place Welton Rovers & 5th place Radstock Town are still mathamaticly in the title chase too. By 6pm on Saturday 24th April we will know the champion, but right now it's anyones guess!


Sat 10/04/10 - Match Report

Welton Rovers 1-0 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 371)
Welton Rovers scored a 11th minute goal which seriously looked to damage Bideford's title chase. Street lost so The Robins still have 2nd spot but Bitton recorded a win over Melksham Town to go 4 points clear on top with 2 games to play, meaning the title could be retained by Bitton next Saturday if they win.


Sat 17/04/10 - Match Report

Bideford 5-1 Melksham Town, Western Premier (att: 330)
This was the penultimate game of the Western Premier & Bideford were out in force to keep any hope of winning the Western Premier alive. Despite winning the match in a dominating fasion, Bitton's victory elsewhere has ment that they have been crowned champions with a game to go. The Robins must now rely on reaching the 2nd place play off spot where it's a complete lottery over which Level 9 runner up they will have to play. Bideford's goals were scored by: Joe Woods (45), Shane Tolley (46, 52, 80) & Leon Hapgood (68).


Mon 19/04/10 - News Article

Consortium take over news
The consortium have released their take over plans to the media today. They intend to offer Bideford chairman Russell Steele £100k for his club & promise to invest £80k into the club. Another transfer embargo has been placed upon the club untill the take over is resolved.


Tue 20/04/10 - Match Report

Bideford 1-4 Plymouth Argyle Reserves, Devon FA St. Lukes Cup Semi Final (att: 141)
With the Western Premier title out of reach, Robins boss Grundy has decided to field his first team for this County Cup Semi Final game against the 'Reserve' side of Football League Championship team Plymouth Argyle. The profesional side never really gave Bideford any chances & The Robins only goal from this Semi Final exit came from Joe Woods on the 29th minute.


Sat 24/04/10 - Match Report

Brislington 3-3 Bideford, Western Premier (att: 258)
The final league game of the 2009/2010 season for The Robins & a must win game if they were to have any chance of reaching the Level 9 play offs without relying on Street slipping up. Unfortunately due to Street's victory & Bideford only managing a draw, The Robins end the season in 3rd place missing out on a chance of promotion to Level 8. Bideford's scorers were: Nick Skinner (13) & Joe Woods (26, 65).


Sun 25/04/10 - News Article

"I'll shoulder the blame" claims Grundy
Bideford chief Paul Grundy spoke to the North Devon Journal today regarding his side missing out on promotion & his aims for next season. "What can I say... my squad & staff have been amazing all season & if anyone needs to shoulder the blame for missing out it's me." Grundy remained upbeat about his chances for next season: "We'll come right at it next time! All of the lads have expressed a desire to have another crack at promotion, we will be much stronger come August."


End of Month Report
Pld: 5
W: 2
D: 1
L: 2
F-A: 12-9
Top Scorer: Joe Woods (5 goals)​

 

[paddy420]

End of Season - 2009/10

Final League Position: 3rd out of 20 in the Western Premier (level 9)
FA Cup: Lost 2-3 to Bradford Park Avenue (h) in 2nd Round
FA Vase: Lost 1-2 to Ringmer (a) in 3rd Round
Les Phillips Western League Cup: Lost 0-2 to Chard Town (a) in 1st Round
Devon FA St. Lukes Cup: Lost 1-4 to Plymouth Argyle Reserves (h) in Semi Final

Player of the Season: to be announced
Highest Av. Performance: 7.20 -Jason Mitchell (DC), 44 apps
Most Apps: Ken Griffiths (GK) - 54 apps
Golden Boot: Shane Tolley (AM/F C) - 16 goals​

 

[KidBlink56]

Ah, that's too bad. Really close there mate. You should go up next season.

 

[paddy420]

we seriously flopped it at the end... if we had anything in the wage budget to spare i would have got reinforcements in. Going to rebuild the squad for next year around Shane Tolley, Sylvain Legwinski & Jason Mitchell.

I could have punched my computer screen when it was full time against Welton Rover... so so ****** off! But that's what we all love about this game lol...

---------- Post added at 05:33 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 05:42 AM ----------

May '10 - 2009/10​

Thu 06/05/10 - News Article

The Robins ownership crisis
The second consortium (& 3rd group overall) to try to buy Bideford AFC this season is close to pulling the plug on the deal due to funding issues. This has left the North Devon Journal wondering just what is going on in the boardroom at The Sports Ground. Our journalist spoke to Robins chairman Russell Steele & he issued an official club statement: "I have not found the right investors to be able to take this club foward. I have been Bideford chairman for many years & will always be a supporter but I feel for the club to compete in the higher ranks of football I am not the right person for the job. I will continue to seek possible investors & hope a deal can be made soon".​

Fri 07/05/10 - News Article

Grundy to start annual pre-season competition
In the interest of promoting local football, Bideford manager Paul Grundy has announced that he will organise a 4 team annual pre-season competition, likely to involve two local sides & a more prestigious opponent. North Devon Journal will keep you up to date with all the info when it happens.​

Wed 19/05/10 - News Article

Robins takeover news
On Monday of last week Daniel Summerfield, head of the consortium planning to take over Bideford, announced he was "within a few days" of taking controll of Bideford but less then a week later sources say Mr. Summerfield may withdraw his funding to the consortium, leaving them with only a fraction of the finances they currently have & no chance of offering Russell Steele enough money. Today reports are that Mr. Summerfield will go ahead with the consortium & once again we should be expecting an announcement in the next few days.​

Wed 26/05/10 - News Article

Bideford under new ownership at last
Today New Zealand businessman Daniel Summerfield has bought the club & taken over as chairman. He has announced that no further investment will be made at this stage & has admitted he wanted to bring in his own manager but will consider letting Grundy keep his job. Pete Mason has been appointed Director.​

Sun 30/05/10 - News Article

Two depart The Robins
With both deals signed earlier in the season, long time Bideford servant Robbie Herrera has moved to Dulwich Hamlet of the Isthmian Division One South & Tom Stocco has dropped a league to sign for Peninsula League Premier outfit & FA Vase Semi Finalists Elburton Villa.​

---------- Post added at 05:26 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 05:33 AM ----------

June 2010​

News

Tue 01/06/10 - Bideford announce early friendly games
The Robins will play 2 away friendlies over 3 days to kick start their pre-season. On Wednesday 30th June Bideford will face Holsworthy AFC. Holsworthy finished 3rd in the Peninsula League Premier & will most likely be placed into the Western Premier with Bideford for the comming season so it will be an interesting test for them. The next friendly will be on Friday 2nd July at Atlantic Highway rivals Barnstaple Town. Barnstaple were relegated from the Western Premier & will be placed in either the Western Division One or Peninsula League Premier.​

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Wed 02/06/10 - Suprise loan to be repayed

A loan that was taken out upon Daniel Summerfield taking controll of the club was kept under the belt untill now with the news that Bideford will soon have to start repaying Mr. Summerfield's £26k bank loan with installments of £475 monthly.​

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Mon 07/06/10 - Grundy confirmed as Robins boss for next season
The clubs new owner has stated today that current manager Paul Grundy will stay on incharge for the 2010/11 season. It was the support he had from the Bideford fans that ultimately persuaded chairman Daniel Summerfield. The second transfer embargo the club has faced in under a year has now been lifted.​

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Wed 16/06/10 - World Cup 2010 Group H
England 4-1 Germany (Crouch, Gerrard x 2, Carrick)​

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Thu 17/06/10 - Bideford announce pre-season schedule
A provisional list of friendlies have been arranged with the before mentioned tournament being the focus of a busy pre-season schedule. The invitational competition Bideford has arranged will be titled the Steele Cup in honour of the former chairman & will see The Robins, North Devon rivals Ilfracombe Town, Tavistock AFC & (the managers personal choice) Kingstonian. Here's what The Robins fans can be enjoying this summer:​

> Wed 30/06/10 v Holsworthy AFC (at Upcott Field, Holsworthy) k/o: 19:45
Holsworthy finished 3rd in the Peninsula League Premier & will most likely be joining Bideford in the Western Premier next season so it will be an early chance for both teams to show what they can do.​

> Fri 02/07/10 v Barnstaple Town (at Mill Road, Barnstaple) k/o: 19:45
Atlantic Highway rivals Barnstaple were relegated from the Western Premier after finishing bottem of the league. They will be entering either the Western Division One or the Peninsula League Premier next season & will be looking to get one over The Robins.​

> Mon 05/07/10 v Ilfracombe Town STEELE CUP SEMI FINAL (at The Sports Ground, Bideford) k/o: 15:00
Bideford will open the first ever Steele Cup competition at 3pm with their semi final bout with North Devon rivals Ilfracombe Town. The other semi final kicking off at 7:30pm will be between Peninsula League Premier outfit Tavistock AFC & Isthmian Premier side Kingstonian.​

> Tue 06/07/10 STEELE CUP FINAL (at The Sports Ground, Bideford) k/o: 15:00​

> Sat 17/07/10 v Dulwich Hamlet (at The Sports Ground, Bideford) k/o: 15:00
Robbie Herrera returns to The Sports Ground with Dulwich Hamlet as part of the deal that took the Bideford legend to Champion Hill.​

> Sat 24/07/10 v Bridgwater Town (at The Sports Ground, Bideford) k/o: 15:00
Bridgwater missed out on the Southern Division One South & West play offs on goal difference last season so they will prove to be strong opponents to test a Bideford side that should be taking shape for the season by this point.​

> Sat 31/07/10 v Morecambe (at Christie Park, Morecambe) k/o: 15:00
Paul Grundy takes his side to Football League Two side Morecambe for the (currently) final pre season friendly. The new chairman should win over a few fans as he [Daniel Summerfield] has said he will be running free coaches to the game if enough fans are interested.​

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Sun 20/06/10 - National Express flying Robins to the top
Bideford have today announced a new 3 year kit sponsorship deal worth £500 per year with National Express. As part of the deal, the premier coach company will provide the team with a match day coach & offer fans discount rates via the club. Vandanel have issued Bideford with a new home kit for the 2010/11 season.​

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Mon 21/06/10 - World Cup 2010 Group H
England 3-0 Paraguay (Crouch x 3)​

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Fri 25/06/10 - 2009/2010 Bideford AFC Player of the Year & League AGM
Jason Mitchell has been named player of the year for the 2009/2010 season. Jason joined the club at the start of the season after playing the previous season at Maldon Town.​

The Western Premier 2010/2011 season League Constitution has been drawn up:​

Bideford AFC, Brislington, Buckland Athletic AFC (Peninsula League Champions), Dawlish Town, Hallen, Holsworthy AFC (Peninsula League 3rd Place), Ilfracombe Town, Larkhall Athletic, Launceston AFC (Peninsula League Runners Up), Minehead Town (Western Division One Champions), Radstock Town, Shepton Mallet (Western Division One 3rd Place), Sherborne Town, Trowbridge Town (Hellenic Division One West Champions), Warminster Town (Wessex Division One Champions), Wellington, Welton Rovers, Willand Rovers, Wimborne Town (Transfered from Wessex Premier), Trowbridge Town (Hellenic Division One West Runners Up).​

There is a lot of new clubs in the division this season, making it almost impossible to guage how The Robins will perform off the bat. Bideford, Brislington, Dawlish Town, Hallen, Ilfracombe Town, Larkhall Athletic, Sherborne Town, Wellington, Welton Rovers & Willand Rovers the only survivers from last seasons's Western Premier.​

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Fri 25/06/10 - World Cup 2010 Group H
Cuba 1-5 England (J.Cole, Barry, Gerrard, OG, Young)
England qualify for the Second Round​

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Tue 29/06/10 - Bideford to strengthen front line?
News today is that Bideford have made a move for free agent Lee Manion. Manion is a midfielder & spent last season with Padiham where he helped the side to the North West Counties Premier title.

The Robins are also understood to be interested in striker Lee Mulvaney. Mulvaney is currently a free agent having been released by Padiham after just 2 months with the club. He spent most of the 2009-10 season at Heanor Town & Cheadle Town.

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Tue 29/06/10 - World Cup 2010 Second Round
Mexico 1-3 England (Gerrard, Lampard, Barry)​

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Wed 30/06/10 - Bideford offer Grundy new contract
Grundy has been offered a new contract. His current £220 p/w deal wasn't due to run out untill June 2011, but the new Robins chairman has decided to offer Grundy £275 p/w to stay with the club untill June 2013. Grundy accepted the offer & had this to say: "I'm happy with the offer. I didn't think I deserved a wage rise as in my own opinion we failed last season, but if the new chairman thinks I deserve one then who am I to turn it down?! Once again my aim is promotion this season & once again anything short of that is failure."

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[paddy420]

2010-2011 SEASON

PRE-SEASON
​

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Wed 30th June 2010 - Pre-Season Friendly

Holsworthy AFC 1-3 Bideford AFC
@ Upcott Field, Holsworthy (att: 44)

Preperations for the 2010-11 season are underway with this being the first PSF of The Robin's season. Currently there are no changes in the Bideford squad so the line up looked like the one that ended last season, but that isn't to say there is anything wrong with that as Bideford coasted to a 3-1 win over a side who gained promotion to the same league as Bideford last season. Robins goals from Joe Woods (x2) & Shane Tolley.

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