Welcome to Abbeymead Rovers FC

The birth of Abbeymead Rovers

1997. This is where it all began! A group of local parents started training sessions for U7s–U9s on the local fields by Lobley's Drive. Interest soon gathered, and 'Abbeymead Rovers' was born with 80 members.

Our first Presentation Event

The 1st Club Presentation Event was held that year to celebrate our early success, and it has been held every year since. This period saw Abbeymead Rovers go from strength to strength, and we became an integral and valued part of the local community.

Our first Annual Tournament

2000 saw our 1st Annual Tournament, which was a great success and has continued to grow in popularity.

Men's and girls' football

In 2004 we established our first Men's team after a merger with a local squad called the 'Patriots'. The same year also saw the formation of our first girls' team. This section has grown steadily over the years.

FA Charter Standard Status

We were so proud to be awarded 'FA Charter Standard Status' in 2004, and we are even prouder to say that we have kept this status (or its equivalent) ever since. The award is only given to Clubs that show a high level of quality, not only in the football tuition they deliver but also in the administration of the Club.

Our home at Abbeydale

2007 saw us form an alliance with Abbeydale Community Association (ACA). Together we successfully bid for funding to build the 3G training pitch and changing rooms you see today at the now renamed Abbeydale Sports & Community Centre. The majority of our teams train here during the week, and our youngest age groups train on Saturday mornings.

Ladies and Community football

Our Ladies team was established in 2008, and we are so proud to say that they are still going strong. Our Community Section was also founded that year, allowing children and adults with disabilities to play football safely. We cannot thank Dale Rawlins enough for establishing this section, a most important part of the Club, and for supporting it throughout this period.

FA Charter Community Club

In 2011 we added to our 'FA Charter Standard Status' with an 'FA Charter Community Club' award. This is the highest possible classification a grassroots Club can have, and we couldn't have been prouder. We have kept it ever since.

Success on the pitch

The same year, our Men's 1sts won the Stroud & District Football League Division 1 and were promoted to the Glos Northern Senior League. During this period we also added a Men's 3rds team to cope with the number of players wanting to play for us. They started in Stroud & District League Division 8 and are still going strong today, with only one year out due to lack of numbers.

Community Club of the Year

2014 saw us win Gloucestershire FA Community Club of the Year for the second time, an honour we are immensely proud of.

Walking Football

In 2015 our Chairman at the time, Stuart Langworthy, created our first Walking Football team, one of the first in the country. They quickly became affiliated to the Walking Football Association and proved extremely popular, growing to several teams very quickly.

Sunday League and Super Vets

Also in 2015 we set up a Sunday League team. Unfortunately it did not prove as popular as we had hoped, and it was disbanded in 2018. Our 'Super Vets' formed in 2016, giving our more 'experienced' members a chance to play competitive football. Sadly, they struggled to re-establish after Covid and folded in 2022.

National recognition

In 2017 our Walking Football section was recognised nationally with the 'FA Mars Just Play Walking Football Centre of the Year' award.

Turning 20

We turned 20 years old in 2017, a milestone celebrated throughout the Club. Over those years we grew from very humble beginnings into one of the biggest and most successful grassroots Clubs in the country.

Club of the Year, twice

In 2018 we were named 'Gloucestershire FA Charter Standard Club of the Year', making us one of the very few Clubs to have won this sought-after accolade twice. We also received 'Community Club of the Year 2018' at the Gloucestershire Live 2018 Sports Awards, where several members of the Club happily collected the trophy.

Thank you, Stuart and Judith

2019 saw the retirement of our longstanding Chairman, Stuart Langworthy. Anyone who knows Stuart knows that he lives for football, and together with his wife Judith he built the Club into what it is today. We will be forever in debt to this dedicated pair. Without their wisdom and experience we would not be in the healthy position we are today. We are honoured to have them as our President and Vice President, so they will be part of the Abbeymead Rovers family for life.

Unable to give up football, Stuart has gone on to be a massive part of our Walking Football section, building it up from just a few players to several teams. It is now one of our largest groups. Oh, and by the way, he is the current England over 60s walking football manager, no less!

Coming through Covid

Covid had a devastating effect on all walks of life, but as a Club we came through this period stronger and more resilient. We did lose the Community Section during this time, but rebuilding it is a challenge we are looking forward to.

25 years and 3 Star Accreditation

In 2022 we turned 25 and celebrated with a fun day for all our teams. The same year we became an England Football 3 Star Accredited Club, when the FA upgraded the Charter Standard scheme.

Back to normal

2023 saw a return to a more 'normal' season and the return of our Annual Tournament, where we welcomed visiting teams, along with a separate Presentation Event.

Rebuilding the girls' pathway

2024 proved to be a difficult year for our girls section. One complete team, together with their fully qualified Coach, and several players from other teams left to join 'Gloucester City'. While we are sad that this happened, we go again, and we are looking forward to rebuilding this pathway with our newly appointed Girls Section Manager. Neil is an experienced Youth Coach who is full of ideas and presented an excellent Business Plan at the annual AGM. We look forward to reaping the rewards. The Ladies, meanwhile, are going from strength to strength under the expert guidance of Jodie Tester.

GFA Club of the Year, for the 3rd time

The difficult season had a very successful end when we were named GFA Club of the Year. This is the 3rd time we have won this coveted award, and we are over the moon. At the same ceremony, Josh Hudd was named 'Young Volunteer of the Year', and Mark Wolstencroft was 'Highly Commended' in the Grounds Team of the Year category.

A Thriving Community Club

The 2024/2025 season finished in a positive fashion, with 2 of our members picking up Highly Commended Awards at the Gloucestershire FA Awards Ceremony. Sallie Lavis, our Club Welfare Officer and Vice Chairman, was recognised for Positive Behaviour, and Harry Cummings, our Referee and trainee Groundsman, was recognised as a Young Volunteer. We were also invited to apply to become a 'Thriving Community Club'. We were successful, and this opens up a wealth of new initiatives and funding that we are excited to explore.

Late December 2024 saw the end of an era for Abbeymead Rovers, when we learned that one of our Founder Members, Andy Tickner, had sadly passed away after a long and bravely borne illness. Andy served the Club tirelessly from the very beginning and for many years after. He was always there with advice, a voice of reason and a sensible solution. He was a wealth of knowledge and a calming influence, and we will be forever grateful. A true gentleman. Rest in peace, Andy.

Until 2003, the roles of Chairman, Club Secretary and Treasurer were shared by our 3 Founding Members: Andy Tickner, Colin Jackson and Nolan Broadhead.

• Stuart Langworthy: 2003–2019
• Paul Mason: 2019–present

The Club has grown significantly over the past 25 years with our simple approach of providing football for all who want it. Our current challenge is the lack of additional facilities available locally, such as grass pitches and Astro slots. Because of this, we unfortunately have to say we are full in many youth age groups. We will keep doing our very best to maintain the teams we have and to take on 3 to 4 new teams at U5 each year. We also aspire to grow in areas such as Walking Football and Disability football. The Club is actively looking for new facilities, and we remain optimistic.