Freeland
"Oxford Welding Supplies LTD is a family run business operating for the
past 25 years, we have been involved in sponsoring our local football team
for the past 15 years supplying new kit, tracksuits and footballs, we look
forward to our continued relationship with Freeland FC"
01993882832 | [email protected]
Freeland Gardens, Wroslyn Rd, Freeland, Witney OX29 8AQ
Transition
“With the U17s side that we had last year, all players if they
wished were invited to join in with the men’s training to get to
know the existing players and feel involved in the men’s set up
before they were considered for selection. This meant that towards
the end of the season once they had found their feet they came into
the side and knew the other players in the team and already had
built up relationships with senior players.”
Progression
“We have had a number of players who have gone on to play
for local Hellenic sides and a few who have gone to play for our
local Southern league side.
Stuart Hole, a player from the Village grew up playing for our
Youth teams and later went on to make a handful of appearances
for Wycombe Wanders in the football league, and then also played
1st class cricket for Warwickshire.
We have also had a few ex-pros come to play for us in previous
years, in the twilight of their careers, notably Simon Stapleton ex
of Wycombe and Bristol Rovers.”
Community
“We are most definitely a community club. In a small village
such as Freeland, the majority of village residents have some
connection with the football club, be it players, parent, ex-player
or just spectator. We try to engage with the local community
by encouraging them to come and watch the games, asking for
villagers to be members of the fundraising 200 club.
As a small club with no regular income we do not have a huge
sum of money, but we feel it is important to help the community
so the club has made small donations to the current appeals to
restore the Village War Memorial and creation of a memorial
garden as well as sponsoring a tree in memory of people from the
village who lost their lives in WW2.”
“I have been Chairman for Freeland Football Club since the
start of this season having been involved in the club for around
twelve years as a player. I still play as and when required,
however I have enjoyed helping out behind the scenes this year
and managed to help by bringing in a lot of sponsorship for new
tracksuits etc.
We are very happy with the way things have progressed this
season on and off the pitch, with both youth teams being very
successful and hope the First team can continue their good form.
We are currently in a County Cup final and have a League Cup
Semi Final to play as well as being in with a great opportunity
to finish 2nd in the league, which will be the clubs highest ever
league position at this standard.
I wish all the players good luck going into the final matches.”
Paul Salter, Chairman
Challenges/Ambitions
“I think with regards to both youth and men’s football our
biggest challenge will be to keep the participation and interest
going at its current levels – as nationally the participation in
the sport has been falling. We hope as the youth get older they
continue to see football at Freeland as something they want to
continue with and make the progression to play for the adult sides.
I think we would like to add a minimum of one more youth
side and if we work hard maybe another adult team, which we
feel could be possible as we have had in the past five years three
Saturday and one Sunday adult sides.
We would also hope that our first team can claim their first
Senior League title.”
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