IN FOCUS: Stonehouse Town are on the up

Less than two years ago, Stonehouse Town were a frustrated, mid-table side languishing in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League after two failed promotion bids.

Fast forward 24 months, and the Magpies are one of the most in-form clubs in Gloucestershire after gaining promotion in 2015/16 and picking up two pieces of silverware in the County Cup and Charity Cup.

Now, Haydn Murray’s outfit sit at the top of the Marcliff Gloucestershire County League as they eye back-to-back promotions and a place in the Hellenic League Division One West.

The Stroud-based side have begun the 2016/17 campaign in sparkling form, blowing their opponents out of the water with a swashbuckling counter attack and a sturdy, reliable defence.

The likes of Captain Alex Kibble, wide man Liam Gale and attacking spearhead Andy Maryon have helped Town find the back of the net 24 times in just nine League games.

Stonehouse’s number eight, Kibble, has started the season in emphatic form. Seven goals from midfield in all competitions, including a superb free-kick against AEK Boco, has helped the side continue their unbeaten start to the season.

“The secret behind the success is a very talented bunch of young players who all strive for the same end goal,” Kibble said, when asked about Stonehouse’s meteoric rise.

“Mix that with great togetherness, morale and spirit and you can tell everyone is ready to fight for the cause.

“The difference is the quality of the players and our confidence. We go into any game knowing we can come away with a result. It's a fantastic place to come and play your football now, on and off the pitch.”

And Kibble’s manager Murray echoes the midfielder’s belief that the key to his in-form side’s success this season is down to a strong togetherness in the squad.

“We’ve built a club from the bottom up that doesn’t just turn up to play football on a Saturday,” Murray claimed.

“We have a squad that trains together, socialises together and looks forward to the game on a Saturday. We do that as a group of mates as well as a strong footballing outfit.”

At the other end, goalkeeper Will Pedrick has conceded just seven goals as Town sit six points clear at the top.

Pedrick, who supplies Stonehouse with their kit through his company and sports manufacturer ‘Zapkam’, as well as being Club Treasurer, believes Town’s behind-the-scenes setup has paid dividends.

“Our success is down to a mixture of a good committee, who have put the facilities in place for the team to succeed as well as a bunch of mates who form a good team, too.”

Stonehouse are rapidly developing a reputation as a club on the rise amongst football in Gloucestershire.

Although still only in the 11th tier of English football, the black and white striped side equipped themselves well against Brimscombe and Shortwood during pre-season, and Murray believes that his up-and-coming team can be considered in the same bracket as their two counterparts.

“We can be considered alongside Shortwood and Brimscombe, yes,” Murray claimed.

“We played both of these teams in pre-season, and gave a good account of ourselves. It gave the boys belief that we were doing the right things and moving in the right direction and set us in good stead for the season ahead.”

Stonehouse’s successes were summed up last season as they lifted the GFA Senior Amateur Cup, also known as the County Cup for the first time since 1976.

Murray revealed that the win was a milestone for him, after failing in the Cup throughout his career as both player and manager.

“To win the cup was amazing. During my days as a player and as a manager, I’ve not been successful in the cup; so it was one to tick off the list,” Murray revealed.

“It’s the bees-knees of grass roots Cups, and we sent a message to the other sides by lifting the trophy.”

Pedrick echoes his manager’s sentiment after pulling off a number of saves to help triumph over Charlton Rovers 2-1 and lift the trophy.

“It was great to lift it for the first time in so long, but it was even better to get the club back into the County League.”

With cup success pushed to the back of the mind, Town are now concentrating on the season ahead.

Eight wins from nine against the likes of Cheltenham Civil Service, Rockleaze Rangers, Little Stoke and Kingswood, has made Town surprising favourites to win the Gloucestershire County League.

A second promotion in two seasons is on the cards for Murray’s side, but both Kibble and his manager are keeping their feet on the ground as Town continue to increase the gap at the top of the pile.

“Promotion is achievable and is now a real target,” Murray declared, despite his pre-season aims. “But it is still very early days and anything can happen. We will be taking one game at a time and go from there.”

“I’m delighted with the start to the season. I set a goal of achieving 30 points as soon as possible at the start of the season; I would have been happy with a top 10 finish.”

Box-to-box midfielder Kibble believes that with a mix of effort, quality and team spirit, anything is possible.

“Promotion is definitely achievable, if we show the correct work ethic and don’t get ahead of ourselves,” Kibble said. “Nothing is won in October, but it's a positive start.

“We’ll take every game as it comes and we hope to still be in the mix come May. But I think the squad is more than capable to achieve promotion and play at a higher level.”

Goalkeeper Pedrick, who has kept three clean sheets this season as well as saving a penalty against Thornbury Town, summed up Town’s ascent on the English football pyramid.

“When I first got involved off the pitch, the club was thousands of pounds in debt with a ground that was basically a field,” Stonehouse’s number-one revealed.

“Now the club has money in the bank and one of the best grounds in the County. 10 years of hard work have gone into achieving that.”

Stonehouse travel to Hardwicke on Saturday, 3pm.