Westbury United
FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG
Westbury United
FOOTBALL CLUB
Westbury United FC was founded in 1907 and was a founder member of
the North Gloucestershire Football League. It’s first pitch was in a meadow
behind the parish church and was situated on the banks of the River Severn
and often became very wet, hence the team acquired the nickname the
‘Mudlarks’. In the 1940’s it moved to a field away from the river, opposite
Westbury Court and its famous Dutch Water Gardens until moving to its
current ground at the Parish Hall in the early 1950’s.
I was first introduced to Westbury United Football
Club at the age of 21 by a work colleague, having played
for various, more local teams in Gloucester. Although
being only fourteen miles away, I knew nothing about
them or even been through the Severn Vale village. That
first visit led to every Saturday known in my household as
‘Westbury football day’.
I am currently in my 34th year at Westbury United AFC.
My roles at the club have been one of natural progression
I suppose, from 1st team player, 2nd team player, 2nd
team manager, to my current role of five years, 1st team
manager.
That may seem an impressive period of longevity but
pales in comparison to the board members from whom
20 Issue 85
this small pretty village club from Westbury-on-Severn,
retains its heart and its spirit.
Chairman Clive Tempest, Club secretary David
D’Ambrogio, and Treasurers Mike Watkins and Chris
Epps have been the constant throughout and work as a
team to provide the best possible base for the players to
compete to the best of their ability, improve and enjoy
every game.
We welcome every new player with open arms and
have a diverse nationality with current players from
Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Gambia who have taken
the club to their hearts.
Our end of season tours abroad are a highlight, taking
the club into Europe, playing matches in such places as