CHAIRMAN of Westbury United Football Club, Greg Coulson, is looking forward to a local Boxing Day derby for the club and is encouraging local people to come along and support the club.
Greg said, “Boxing Day is the first fixture I check for when they are released each season, just to make sure we get the local derby that everyone wants to see. As we changed leagues this season, lateral movement by the FA that moved us from the Toolstation Western League into the Uhlsport Hellenic League. There was a chance that the new league might not arrange fixtures in the same way, fortunately they do, so we get the chance to host Bradford Town on Boxing Day which is the only game to kick off at 1pm on Boxing Day in the local area.
“My first experience of a Boxing Day game as an officer of Westbury United was in 2014 when we played Warminster (it was actually played on Saturday 27th December) when we had a crowd of 502. Since then, we’ve had crowds of 329 in 2016 v Warminster, 445 in 2018 v Bradford and even when Covid struck in 2020, we still managed an impressive 282 against Bradford, which ended up being the penultimate game of the season.
“This season we’re planning to have mascots from Westbury Youth FC to walk out with the teams. The link between the two clubs is growing stronger, and we now offer a free portion of chips and a drink to any Westbury Youth player who comes to the game with a membership card and a paying adult.
“It’s been a tough couple of years due to Covid and all the complications that has brought to our lives. As an outside event we have plenty of space to be able to social distance, so it would it be great to see some old and new supporters at the ground. The team have had a strong start to the season and the support from the crowd really does help to maintain the high standards on the pitch.
“I hope to see you watching Westbury United FC V Bradford Town FC, a uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division fixture, 1pm kick off on Sunday 26th December at the Gooding Accounts Ground, Meadow Lane, Westbury, BA13 3AF, to support the team and see if we can get the three points.”
