United looking forward to new season

WESTBURY United have started preparations for the new season  with a presentation evening on Saturday 18th July and two pre-season games.

Chairman Matt Bright and manager Shaun Gardiner are both looking forward to the upcoming season.  They are hoping that after the team’s good work throughout the pre-season friendly games, they are optimistic for the season ahead.

To start off the new season, United will play in two away matches. On Saturday 8th August they will visit Hengrove Athletic followed by a match with Almondsbury UWE on Tuesday 11th August. Their first home match is against Chard Town on Saturday 15th August.

The club has experienced a good pre-season, winning 2-1 against Steeple Ashton in a friendly match. Dan Moore scored the first goal followed by Joe Cavalla who finished it off with an excellent move to double the lead.

On Saturday 18th July,  the afternoon before the presentation evening, Westbury United competed in another friendly against Melksham Town FC drawing 0-0.  The draw was considered a fair result and it was still an entertaining game to watch.

To launch the season on a high, the squad also have a new kit which they sported in the game against Melksham Town. The new strip is again sponsored by Westbury Packaging.

To follow their draw against Melksham Town the club held a successful night celebrating individual achievements from the last season from both team players and club members.

The awards were as follows:

Club Man – Tony McElhone. Most Appearances – Grant Gunning. Supporters’ Player of the Year – Callum Hotine. Most Improved – Callum Hotine. Top Scorer – Mark Young. Manager’s Player – Gary Tugwell. Players’ Player – Sam Clift.

The club also gave a special appreciation awards to Paul Brickley and Chris Andrews for their dedication and hard work at Meadow Lane over the many years. In addition, Viv and Karen Gardiner were recognised for excelling in matchday catering.

The presentation evening was previously delayed from late May due to unforseen circumstances.  However the reformed date of Saturday 18th July was a great way for Westbury United to begin the 2015/2016 season.

Last season saw Westbury United finish at the bottom of Division One of the Toolstation Western League. Despite this, the club managed to avoid relegation because there are not enough teams in the league.

Club House: Westbury United’s Club House at their ground on Meadow Lane is open every Friday from 5.00pm until late.