When the first pandemic lockdown brought a premature end to the 2019–20 season, Radstock Town were in the midst of a promotion challenge – but despite games in hand and only a couple of points off the top, it all came to nothing when the FA null and voided the season!

The following campaign, seemingly, ended before it began – with the side once again pushing for the top places – so, it was a surprise when the FA decided to use the results from both seasons as the basis for the re-organisation of the National League system and the club were hopeful of going up when asked to apply for promotion. Once again, hopes were dashed when they missed out by the smallest of margins on a points per game calculation!

Scroll forward to now and the club is in the middle of a tough pre-season build-up and looking forward to a ‘third time lucky’ promotion push. The management team of Ryan Child and Tom Pawley have retained the majority of last season’s squad and feel they will only add to it if someone with real ability and the right team ethic becomes available.

The Reserves will once again be headed by Rich Bowring, a job he’s held since 2005, which is a remarkable achievement in the modern game!

The Under-18’s will be led by Ian Lanning and Jamie Purnell and with over half of last season’s squad available next season, they are hopeful of doing well in the Corsham Print Wilts Youth League.

One of the positives taken from the games that were played during the last couple of years was an increase in spectators and it would be great if that trend continued because the bigger the numbers, the greater the lift for the players get!

This Saturday, (July 24th), sees the First Team complete their pre-season programme with an interesting friendly match at Southfield against near neighbours, Chilcompton Sports.

Manager, Ryan Child, is looking forward to the match, saying: “It’s a great game to finish pre-season with because they, (Chilcompton), are a good side, with a lot of quality players and it will be a real test for the boys.” Kick off is 2 pm.

Dave Wilkinson