2025-26 End of Season Review

Words from Management

Tormarton FC would like to thank our players, our sponsors, and most importantly our fans for all the effort they have given this season. The committee and management have worked tirelessly through the year to get fixtures on when possible and we appreciate the support we have been given by everyone surrounding the football club on a historic season. 

Special mentions also go to our sponsors: James Balls Cars and Dave Benton for providing funds for new equipment for the club to keep the season going, including a new line marker, and thanks go to the Portcullis Hotel for providing free food after every home match for both our Firsts and Reserves teams. 

The club would also like to thank the Bristol and District League for their continued organisation of the league and for providing referees for 29 of the 34 games played by our club this season, in a time where referees are in short supply in our area. 

Season Review - Firsts

Following a positive pre-season, the Firsts opening two games saw us lose both without scoring a goal. Our fortunes turned, however, when facing higher opposition Longwell Green 3rds in the first round of the B&D Cup - a new league cup format introduced this season. Unfortunately, we couldn't repeat our heroics in the second round as we lost 4-1 in the second round to eventual treble winners Made For Ever. We had the same poor luck in the county cup the week before, losing a very tight game 2-1 to Shafetsbury Crusade Reserves, though the Firsts did give a good account of themselves. The poor results continued with a 2-0 loss to Redfield Rovers two weeks later, but it seemed our fortunes had changed in our next match as we beat Highridge United Reserves 2-0 in a typically feisty game. 

What followed can only be described as a curse from the heavens as bad weather and waterlogged pitches put our season on hold for another 2 months. The break in play cost us dearly with a 7-1 loss to Seymour United in January; we found our footing very shortly after, however, with a 2-1 win against top of the table Hanham Abbotonians. We followed this up with wins vs Fry Club A, DRG Frenchay Reserves and a draw vs in-form Redfield. 

With 6 games to play, we were 6 points off the top 3 with a favourable run in, but with a depleted squad we travelled to Highridge United Reserves and a catalog of decisions against our favour led to a 6-2 loss and shut down hopes of a top 3 finish. After another long 3 week break, our local rivals, Chipping Sodbury 3rds couldn't raise a side to face us at home and gifted us the points, but we were still 8 points behind the top 4 and 10 behind the top 3 with only 4 games left to play. Hopes of a top 4 finish were crushed when losing a respectable 2-0 to eventual league winners Bristol Boys, and two weeks later the hard work the squad had put in all season resulted in a 2-1 win away from home vs Chipping Sodbury 3rds. This win and the previous home walkover meant we did the double over Chipping Sodbury 3rds for the first time in the clubs history. A controversial 4-1 loss against DRG Frenchay reserves followed this, as DRG fielded ineligible players and an appeal against the result has been launched; our final game vs Bristol Boys ended 4-4 in a match that saw both teams draw positions out of a hat with both teams' league position cemented. 

The Firsts finished in 5th place in the Bristol & District Division 1 standings, the highest league position in the clubs history. 

"This season was all about stability. Would I have thought we'd have a season like this? Not in a million years! It's been a huge achievement for the club and myself to have the first team finish in their highest ever position in Division 1 and it's been great to have a little cup run as well. 

It's not been an easy season for me with some personal issues going on in the background, but to have these boys to pick me up and put in a season like we've had: I feel very grateful. To come away from my first season as club chairman earning one of the teams promotion is unbelievable. It’s a huge credit to the players and the team I've got around me.  

Let’s now push on and make 26/27 an even better campaign." 

- Owen Batchen, Club Chairman and First Team Manager  

Season Review - Reserves

The Reserves came off the back of a hectic season in 2024/25, with a tough opening game away vs Stockwood Green reserves - a game that saw ugly scenes breakout in the reverse fixture at home last year. It was another physical game that ultimately ended in defeat, with Stockwood winning 4-2. The Reserves bounced straight back however with a big 7-0 win vs Seymour United Reserves, who promptly dumped us out of the league trophy the following game. Another bounce back a week later though saw the Reserves edge out a nervy 1-0 win away vs Fry Club B. A few weeks later, the Reserves cup miseries continued, being beaten by Redfield Rovers Reserves 2-1 in the County Cup; it was a result that many felt went against the run of play. 

With the Reserves out of both cups, attentions quickly turned back to the league as we thrashed Winterbourne United Reserves 5-1 at home and looked to be cruising the week after, going 2-0 up vs AFC Mangotsfield District Reserves. Complacency killed us, however, as Mangotsfield turned it around after half time and came out as 3-2 victors. But back to back wins vs Bristol United Reserves instilled hope into the Reserves (2 months between the fixtures again!) and with 9 games to go, the Reserves were 1 point off 2nd with a game in hand. Unfortunately they couldn't take advantage of this, losing 3-2 at home to Fry Club B (3-0 down with 10 minutes to play). and with 8 games left in the season, 2nd - 6th were separated by just 2 points. 

What followed was a thriller away vs Seymour United Reserves as our Reserves won 5-4, but our old nemesis Redfield Rovers Reserves stopped us in our tracks, beating us 2-0 away from home. A walkover vs Winterbourne United Reserves gave us 3 more points which was followed by a top of the table clash between our Reserves and Hanham Athletic A. We went into the game ahead of 3rd place on goal difference, with a win bringing us within 3 points of the leaders. Our Reserves dominated the game from start to finish and earned a deserved 2-0 win vs the leaders, however could not make the most of the advantage, losing 2-0 against AFC Mangotsfield District Reserves in a tight game at home that saw us go down to 10 men. Another topsy turvy game at home vs Stockwood Green Reserves saw the points shared 2-2 and already-confirmed league winners Hanham Athletic A gave us a walkover in the penultimate game, setting up a final day showdown vs Redfield Rovers Reserves for a place at 2nd in the table. Redfield Rovers were deserved winners on the final day though, beating us 3-1 and leapfrogging us in the table. Results elsewhere also meant Stockwood Green jumped above both us and Redfield on the final day too. 

The Reserves finished in 4th place in the Bristol & District Division 4 standings, the highest league position in the Reserves history. With the abolition of Division 4 from the league structure, they will play in Division 3 next season. 

"It has been a frustrating season weather wise and I think we could have achieved more if we were able to play more regularly - we've gone toe-to-toe with every club in the division and I can't say anything more than the lads put in 100% effort every game. It was important just to get some playing time under everyone's belts and the goal was to finish higher than last year's 2nd last, so it's been a real turnaround in form! 

I'm really proud of what we achieved this year though, it's been a slog from start to finish but the boys have done themselves proud. There's been a real feeling of everyone being in this together within the squad and I hope the lads take this with them into next season. While we ultimately fell short on the last day, the effort throughout the season on and off the pitch has been phenomenal from my squad. Even without the abolition of Division 4, we would have been worthy promotion winners and hopefully we can show that again next year. 

I can officially confirm that I'll be leaving Tormarton as a manager this summer, however I'll be a supporter for life and I wish the club the best of luck as I depart." 

- Mitchell Harrington, Reserve Team Manager

Mitch departs the club after 18 months of managing the Reserves and 5 years as a squad player, as he and his wife anticipates the birth of their son this summer. The club would like to formally congratulate him and wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future. 

End of Season Awards - Winners

The club held their yearly end of season awards in the Beaufort Hunt on 16th May 2026. The winners of the awards were: 

• Firsts' Players' Player of the Season: Harry Winter and Mitchell Gooding

• Firsts' Manager's Player of the Season: Nathan Bethell

• Reserves' Players' Player of the Season: Joey Power

• Reserves' Manager's Player of the Season: Elliot Millar

• Golden Boot: Bayley Winter

• Golden Glove: Jamie Cordy-Rugman

• Gentlemen's Player of the Season: Joey Power

• Clubman of the Year: Mitchell Harrington

Final words

With the season coming to a close, management are looking to arrange pre-season friendlies in preparation for both teams seasons starting in September. Our Reserve team are also actively looking to recruit a new manager before the start of the new season and the committee are accepting applications at this time. 

The club can't wait to get started all over again in September, but in the meantime...

Up the Tors!!!