Gloucestershire County League
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| Countries |  England |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 |
| Number of teams | 18 |
| Level on pyramid | Level 11 |
| Feeder to | Western League |
| Promotion to | Western League Division One Hellenic Football League Division One West |
| Relegation to | Bristol & Suburban League Bristol Premier Combination Gloucestershire Northern Senior League |
| Current champions | Brimscombe & Thrupp (2010-11) |
| Website | Official website |
The Gloucestershire County League is a football league in England, founded in 1968. The league is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.
It sits at step 7 (or level 11) of the National League System and is a feeder to the Western League, although some clubs have also moved upwards to the Hellenic League, such as 2005–06 champions Lydney Town. The league has always consisted of a single division of clubs. In the 2011–12 season, 18 teams are competing in the league.
The Bristol & Suburban League, Bristol Premier Combination, and the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League feed the Gloucestershire County League.
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[edit] Administration
The League has a maximum size of 20 member clubs, who have to be affiliated to the Gloucestershire Football Association.
The club's ground or headquarters have to be located within the County of Gloucestershire or in those parts of the City of Bristol that was within the 1908 city boundaries.
The league is part of the National League system and clubs may apply for promotion to or from the League.
The Joint Liaison Committee, at the end of each season, confirms promotion and relegation of clubs between the leagues and is responsible for the boundary adjustments between the leagues where appropriate. The Committee is drawn from the Western Football League, Gloucestershire County League, Somerset County League, South West Peninsula League and the Wiltshire League.[1]
[edit] History
The league was originally formed in 1968. Its first Chairman was F.Dowling, who was ably assisted by the Hon. Secretary, L.V. James. Les James has the Leagues' Cup Competition named after him in recognition of his service to football and the league within Gloucestershire. Chairman, Mr F. Dowling, presented the championship trophy to Stonehouse FC, who were the first winners of the County League.[2]
Among the clubs that have left the Gloucestershire County League and now compete at a higher level are:
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Two current members of the Gloucestershire County League have played at a higher level:
- Chipping Sodbury played in the Western Football League Division 2 in the 1950-51 and 1950-51 seasons before dropping back to local football in the Bristol and District League.[3]
- Tuffley Rovers currently play in the County League but have previously competed in the Hellenic Football League.
Other former members of the County League have dropped back into local football. Notable clubs include:
- Almondsbury Greenway left the County League in 1982 for the Hellenic Football League. After further promotion as Almondsbury Town to the Southern League they have in 2011 dropped back to the Bristol & Suburban League.
- Hardwicke joined the County League in 1999/2000 and gained promotion to the Hellenic Football League but have now returned to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.[4]
- Harrow Hill joined the County League in 1982/83 and gained promotion to the Hellenic Football League in 1995/96 but have now returned to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.[5]
- Stonehouse Town were original member of the County League and competed in the competition for 20 years until 1988. From 1947 until 1960 the club played in the Western Football League.[6]
[edit] Member clubs for 2011-12 season
- Berkeley Town
- Bishop's Cleeve Reserves
- Bristol Academy
- Chipping Sodbury Town
- Cribbs Friends Life
- DRG Stapleton
- Ellwood
- Hanham Athletic
- Henbury
- Kings Stanley
- Kingswood
- Longlevens
- Patchway Town
- Rockleaze Rangers
- Taverners
- Thornbury Town
- Tuffley Rovers
- Yate Town Reserves
Footnote: As there were no clubs eligible for promotion from the feeder leagues, Longlevens and Filton Town were elected to fill the vacancies.
- - Longlevens join from the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.
- - Bristol Academy are a newly formed club who will play at the Filton College WISE campus.[7]
[edit] List of champions
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[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "Surridge Gloucestershire County Football League - About". http://countyleague.co.uk/about/about.html. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
- ^ "Surridge Gloucestershire County Football League - About". http://countyleague.co.uk/about/about.html. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - Chipping Sodbury". http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/CHIPPINS.HTM. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - Hardwicke". http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/HARDWICK.HTM. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - Harrow Hill". http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/HARROWH.HTM. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - Stonehouse". http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/STONEHOU.HTM. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
- ^ "David Wilson Homes Gloucestershire County Football League - Home Page". http://countyleague.co.uk/. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
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