Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Season 1984-85

After two seasons of seeing local rivals Penhill take the Division One title, Park regained the title they had won in five of the first six seasons of the league. Little did they know at the time this would be the last league title won as three seasons later they merged with Aldbourne. It was a close-run title race with just three points separating the top four sides when the schedule was completed. Joining Park in the exciting race for the title were the champions in the previous two seasons Penhill, Salisbury based side Bemerton and Purton. Whilst Bemerton were to lose just three games all season, the high number of drawn games was to cost them the title as they finished one point short of Park’s tally. The reigning champions Penhill were another point further back in third place with Purton finishing fourth. At the other end of the table Devizes Town Reserves and Avebury were relegated. Calne Town won the Wiltshire Senior Cup beating Swindon Supermarine 1-0 in the final at Devizes.  The league’s Ghia Senior Knockout Cup a few days later saw Calne Town looking to make it a cup double when they took on Penhill in the final. However, it was not to be as Penhill, in another close game at Chippenham, defeated Calne Town 1-0.

Division Two also saw an entertaining battle for the title with three sides in the mix, Wootton Bassett Town, Pewsey Vale and Pinehurst battling it out for honours. Wootton Bassett Town secured promotion with 2-0 at home to Dorcan but this was to be their last win of the season. They secured the title the following week with a 0-0 draw at home to Pewsey Vale and having made sure of the league they took their foot off the gas and failed to win any of their remaining league games. In the end the gap to second placed Pinehurst was just two points with the Swindon based side just pipping Pewsey Vale to the runners-up spot. At the other end of the table it was tough season for Ferndale Athletic again as they finished bottom for the second season running although they were to bounce back the following season.

Division Three saw Plessey Sports finish seven points clear of nearest rivals Oldacre and having won the Division Three title they made the step up to Senior status the following season. At the other end of the table Ramsbury and Avebury Reserves struggled and finished nine points below third from bottom West End. Avebury Reserves subsequently left the league as the club entered just one side the following season, whilst Ramsbury and West End were both reprieved from relegation.

Division 4 winners were Corsham Town Reserves who finished two points ahead of nearest rivals Blunsdon United.  It was a tough season for the two village sides Minety and Oaksey who occupied the bottom two places. Oldacre made up for missing out on the Division Three title by winning the Ghia Junior Cup 2-0 against Wootton Bassett Town Reserves in the final at Aldbourne. 

In the end of season awards at the AGM, Ferndale Athletic won the E C Mills Sportsmanship Award, A C Fall of West Swindon won the Club Secretary’s Award and R C Gobey was presented with the Ghia Referees Award.
Corsham Town Reserves
Picture courtesy of John Cuthbertson & excellent Wiltshire Football Nostalgia Facebook Group created by Mark Edmonds
Programme - Corsham Town v Wootton Bassett Town
02-03-1985
Division Two side Corsham Town produced a programme and pictured here is the one for their game against Division Two league winners Wootton Bassett Town on 2ndMarch 1985. Click on the image of the Programme to bring up a PDF version of the full programme.
Top Scorers

Division 1
M. Collier  (Purton)  27
C. Walters  (Wills / Park)  18
N. Mapstone  (Wroughton)  17
J. Sturgess  (Bemerton)  16
S. Bell  (Chippenham T Res)  15
K. Little  (Penhill)  14
S. Hatherall  (Sanford)  14

Division 2
A. Audis  (Corsham Town)  19
D. York  (Pinehurst)  18
G. Dixon  (W. Bassett Town)  15
M. Garrett  (Pewsey Vale)  13
J. Mears  (Pinehurst)  13
S. Matthews  (Pinehurst)  13
R. Jefferies  (Dorcan)  12
N. Offer  (Pewsey Vale)  12
P. Slattery  (Ferndale Athletic)  12

Division 3
S. Herbert  (Malmesbury Vics)  40
J. Little  (Plessey Sports)  31
P. Money  (Plessey Sports)  23
R. MacAlone  (Bemerton Res)  23
K. Roberts  (Oldacre)  22
R. Henshall  (West Swindon)  21

Division 4
R. Goulding  (Stratton Red Eagles)  28
P. Matton  (Stratton Red Eagles)  24
S. Wilson  (Liden United)  21
I. Muspratt  (Bromham)  20
J. Saunders  (Cricklade Town)  20
J. Giddings  (Pewsey Vale)  19
J. Wyatt  (Wills)  18
K. Walker  (Blunsdon Utd)  18
M. Freegard  (Corsham Town Res) 18
League Representative Honours

Ramsbury Building Society Cup – November 1984
Wiltshire County League 1 Dorset Combination 1 (Won 4-2 on pens)
The Wiltshire County League won the Ramsbury Building Society Trophy at Wimborne by defeating the Dorset Combination 4-2 in a penalty shoot out following a 1-1 draw. Wiltshire made an impressive start to force three corners early on and Colin Valters was unlucky with a chip just over the home cross bar. But he missed a good chance a few minutes later. Dorset took the lead in the 35th minute with a good shot by Portland United player Peter Reader that gave Chris Pearce no chance.

In the second half good defence by the Wiltshire League – with Les Gill and Russell Wilson dominant – held Dorset. The Wiltshire League had a shot cleared off the home goal line before Willie Sturgess scored from a penalty for a handling offence. No extra-time was played, instead the game went straight into a penalty shoot out in which Jim Miles who replaced Pearce in the Wiltshire goal at half time brilliantly saved Dorset’s second kick. George Smith, Valters, Sturgess and Keith Ovens scored for Wiltshire.

Wiltshire League Squad
L. Gill (Sanford)
S. Gould (Park)
P. Harrison (Park)
D. Jack (Tisbury United)
N. Mapstone (Wroughton)
J. Miles (Purton)
K. Ovens (Penhill)
C. Pearce (Amesbury Town)
N. Rooney (Calne Town)
G. Smith (Melksham Town)
W. Sturgess (Bemerton Ath)
C. Valters (The Wills)
R. Wilson (Wroughton)
V. Zarola Penhill)
A. Fall (West Swindon) - Trainer

League Players Selected for Wilts FA County Team - Senior

J. Miles (Purton)
T. Mills (Purton)
K. Smith (Bemerton Ath)
M. Tutton (Bemerton Ath)
S. Slattery (Park)
G. Smith (Melksham Town)
K. Crabb (Calne Town)
S. Hestor (Calne Town)
J. Little (Plessey Sports)
Ghia Senior Cup 1984-85

First Round
Avebury  2  Devizes Town Res  2
Bemerton Athletic  3  Dorcan  1
Burbage Sports  1  Warminster Town  4
Burmah House  1  Amesbury  0
Corsham Town  3  Pinehurst  3
Ferndale Athletic v Westbury Utd Res - result to trace
Marlborough Town  0  W. Bassett Town  0
Meadowcroft  3  Calne Town  5
Old Manor  2  Walcot Athletic  1
Penhill  2  Wills  1
Pewsey Vale  6  Aldbourne  3
Purton  0  Park  0
Shrewton United  1  Melksham Town Res  3
St Josephs  bye
Tisbury United  v  Chippenham Town Res - result to trace
Wroughton 3  Sanford  3

Replays
Park 3  Purton  0  - awarded to Purton
Pinehurst  2 Corsham T 2 (aet)(4-5 on pens)
Sanford 1  Wroughton  1 (aet) (1-3 on pens)
W. Bassett Town  1  Marlborough Town  0

Second Round
Burbage Sports  3  Corsham Town  3
Ferndale Athletic  0  Penhill  3
Old Manor  0  Bemerton Athletic  1
Pewsey Vale  2  Avebury  0
Purton  v  Melksham Town Res - result to trace
Tisbury United bye
W. Bassett Town  1  Burmah House  1 (aet)
Wroughton  3  Calne Town  5

Replays
Burmah House  1  Wootton Bassett Town  4
Corsham Town  5  Burbage Sports  0

Quarter Final
Pewsey Vale  0  Calne Town  1
Wootton Bassett Town  1  Tisbury United  2
Fixture & result to trace
Fixture & result to trace

Semi Final
Calne Town  4  Tisbury United  2  (aet)
Penhill  1  Purton  0

Final
Penhill  1  Calne Town  0  (at Chippenham Town)

As reported by the Gazette & Herald.
Penhill won the Ghia Senior Cup for the first time on Monday night with a 1-0 win in the final at Chippenham over Calne, who failed in their bid to win two major county cups in three days. First half play went in Penhill’s favour but good defensive work by Alan Webster and Gary Bartlett along with Martin Sharkey’s goalkeeping stopped Martin Woods, Karl Little and Ray McCrory capitalising on their goal scoring chances. Following the goalless first half the deciding goal came in the 51st minute when a free kick by Chris Joyce was headed behind for a corner from which Mark Thompson headed in McCrory’s centre. With Roger Emms and Mark Thompson dominant in their defence, Penhill continued to have the better of the play but failed to add to their score and in the later stages Calne came near to saving the day. Bartlett went close for them with a good effort and then only a tremendous save by Mark Ayres prevented him equalising. The cup was presented to the winners by Mr Dave Titchener, managing director of Ghia promotions.
Ghia Junior Cup 1984-85

Preliminary Round
Corsham Town Res  3  Calne Town Res 5
Minety 1  Malmesbury Victoria 3 - awarded to Minety

First Round
Aldbourne Res  4  Cricklade Town  4
Amesbury Res bye
Blunsdon Utd  6  Minety  2
Box Rovers  1  Penhill Res  5
Liden bye
Oaksey  1  Bromham  2
Park Res  3  Bemerton Res  1
Pinehurst  Res  1  Purton Res  2
Plessey Sports  4  West End  2
Ramsbury bye
Sanford Res 1  Oldacre 5
S. Newton & Wishford  3  Calne T Res  1
Spartans  2  Pewsey Vale Res  1
Stratton R E  7  Wroughton Res  1
Wills Res  0  West Swindon  1
W. Bassett T Res  7  Marlborough T Res 1

Replay
Cricklade Town  1  Aldbourne Res  3

Second Round
Amesbury Res v Aldbourne Res - result to trace
Blunsdon United  0  W. Bassett Town Res 3
Bromham  0  West Swindon  2
Park Res v Oldacre - result to trace
Purton Res v Penhill Res - result to trace
Ramsbury  1  Liden  2
South Newton & Wishford  v  Plessey Sports - result to trace
Spartans v Stratton RE - result to trace

Quarter Final
Liden United 1 West Swindon 2
W. Bassett Town Res 4  Amesbury Res  3
Fixture and result to trace
Fixture and result to trace

Semi Final
W.Bassett Town Res  1  West Swindon  0
Oldacre v

Final
Oldacre  2 Wootton Bassett Town Res 0  (at Aldbourne)

As reported by the Evening Advertiser.
Oldacre won the Ghia Junior Cup with a 2-0 win over Wootton Bassett Reserves in last night’s final at Aldbourne. Bassett were on top in the first half, when Micky Brooks was unlucky not to score and John Saunders had a shot parried away by Martin Rees. Oldacre gained a vital goal right on the interval when Darren Jell knocked the ball home in a goalmouth scramble. Oldacre carried the game to Bassett in the second half to seal the issue with a 66th minute header by Kevin Roberts.
Wiltshire Senior Cup - 1984-85
Teams from other leagues shown in italics

Preliminary Round
Wootton Bassett Town  0  Supermarine 2
Wroughton  4  Shrewton Utd  0

First Round
Aldbourne  2  The Wills  1 (aet)
Burbage Sports  2  Melksham Town Res  6
Calne Town  4  Meadowcroft  2
Corsham Town  1  Pewsey Vale  0
Downton  4  Burmah House  1
Ferndale Athletic  1  Bemerton Athletic  2
Highworth Town  4  Amesbury  1
Marlborough Town  2  Dorcan  3
Old Manor  2  Pinehurst  0
Purton  5  Westbury United  0
Sanford  2  Devizes Town Res  0
Supermarine  0  Penhill  0
Tisbury  bye
Walcot Athletic  5  Avebury  1
Warminster Town  1  Chippenham Town 4
Wroughton  0  Park  4

Replay
Penhill  3  Supermarine  4

Second Round
Chippenham T Res  1  Highworth Town  0
Corsham Town  2  Purton  3
Dorcan  1  Calne Town  3
Downton  4  Tisbury  1
Old Manor  2  Sanford  1 (aet)
Park  2  Aldbourne  1
Supermarine  4  Bemerton  2
Walcot Athletic  4  Melksham Town Res  0

Quarter Final
Calne Town  3  Old Manor  0
Downton  1  Chippenham Town Res  2
Purton  2  Park  3
Supermarine  3  Walcot Athletic  0

Semi Final
Chippenham Town Res  1  Supermarine  2
Park  1  Calne Town  1 (aet)

Replay
Calne Town  2  Park  1  (aet)

Final
Calne Town  1  Supermarine  0  (at Devizes Town)

As reported by the Gazette & Herald.
More than 200 spectators roared Calne to victory by a single goal over Supermarine (Swindon) in the final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup at Devizes on Saturday. They included the Mayor of Calne, Coun. Charles Hickling, former Calne FC chairman Brian Hillier, who is now chairman of Swindon Town, and the present Calne chairman David Syms. Swindon referee Keith Cooper booked Calne’s Andy Davitt and Kevin Knight of Supermarine, in the opening minutes but tempers cooled on both sides and by half time Calne, who faced a strong wind, had completed their hardest work without conceding a goal.

It was not long after the second half started, however, that the match proved to be one of the most exciting finals seen for a long time. Calne had goal keeper Martin Sharkey to thank for not falling into arrears in the 49th minute. He kept out a great shot by Dave Webb close to the right hand upright. Not to be outdone Supermarine keeper Martin Spackman showed brilliant form in keeping out a sizzling 20-yard volley by Calne skipper Brian Newlands. The vital goal came in the 69th minute when Calne were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. Goalkeeper Spackman could only stand and watch as Newlands bent the free kick around the Supermarine wall and the ball hit the back of the net. But the excitement was by no means over, Supermarine right winger Bob Moore went off with a suspected dislocated shoulder and Wayne Taylor brought another excellent save from Sharkey with a fine shot. In the 81st minute, referee Cooper had no hesitation in awarding Calne a penalty when Supermarine defender Derek Riley held back Kenny Crabb. Newlands stepped up to take the spot kick but shot wide with Spackman going the wrong way. The miss prompted Supermarine to launch a final onslaught but the Calne defenders stood firm to the end. Mr Bernie Uzzell, of the Wiltshire FA Cups Committee presented the trophy to Calne skipper Brian Newlands and awards to members of both teams. 

Calne last won the cup 72 years ago in 1913 when Trowbridge Town – an amateur club in those days – were their victims in the final. In the intervening years, Calne only reached the final once, in 1950, and lost to Devizes Town.
Wiltshire Junior Cup - 1984-85
Teams from other leagues shown in italics

Preliminary Round
Amesbury Res  5  Minety  3
Avebury Res  2  Park Res  3
Blyskawica  2  Supermarine  9
Box Rovers  2  Hambro Life  2  (aet)
Bratton v Sunstrand - result to trace
Broughton Gifford  0  Pinehurst Res  3
Calne Town Res  2  Spartans  1
Dowty  v  Sherston - result to trace
Falcon  v  Penhill RBL - result to trace
Faraday Club v Walcot - result to trace
Highworth Town A  3  Croft  2
Hilperton  3  Marlborough Town Res  1
Langley Sports 2  West Swindon 1
Malmesbury Vics  9  Stockton & Codford  1
Melksham Town A  v West Lavington - result to trace
Nomansland & L'd  0  Plessey Sports  2
Oldacre  2  Pewsey Vale Res  3 (aet)
Penhill Res  1  Old Manor  0
Rodbourne Cheney WMC 5  John Bull 0
Ross Hillman  v  Dean Valley - result to trace
Rudloe v Lavington & Easterton - result to trace
Seend United  1  S. Newton & Wishford  3
Spectrum XI  4  Oakfield  7
True Heart Bishopstone  1  West End  2
Winterbourne Sports v Redlynch - result to trace
Woodfalls  v  Shaw & Whitley  - result to trace
W. Bassett Town Res  1  Aldbourne Res  3

First Round
Airsprung  2  Wroughton Res  0
Aldbourne Res  0  Highworth Town A  1
Blunsdon United  5  Bromham  4
Boscombe Down v Melksham Town A - result to trace
Bratton v Walcot - result to trace
Citadel Rangers   4  Wills  Res  6
Colerne  3  Corsham Town Res  3
Durrington SC  5  Bemerton Ath Res  2
Enford  3  Purton Res  5
Hambro Life  3  West End  0
Heytesbury  7  Oaksey  1
Hilperton  5  Amesbury Res  1
Langley Sports  4  Park Res  3
Laverstock & Ford v Burbage Sports - result to trace
Liden United  3  Winterslow  2
Melksham Legion v Ross Hillman - result to trace
Nationwide B.S.  0  Plessey Sports  9
Newton Tony  1  Malmesbury Victoria  9
Oakfield  4  Ramsbury  1
Penhill Res  1  Falcon  3
Pinehurst Res  3  Bradford United  2  (aet)
Radnor Hall  2  Pewsey Vale Res  3
Revenue Sports v FC Sporting - result to trace
Rudloe  1  Calne Town Res  6
Sanford Res v Stratos Sports - awarded to Sanford
Sherston v Blue Circle - result to trace
South Newton & Wishford  1  Woodfalls  0
Steeple Ashton  5  Cricklade Town  1
Stratton RE 1  Porton Sports  2
Supermarine v Shaw United - awarded to Supermarine
West Harnham v Holt - result to trace
Winterbourne Spts  2  Rod. Cheney WMC  3

Replays
Corsham Town Res  3  Colerne  2

Second Round
Airsprung  1  Sanford Res  0 (aet)
Blue Circle  3  Oakfield  2
Blunsdon United  1  Purton Res  2
Calne Town Res  3  Pinehurst Res  5
Highworth Town A  1  Supermarine  0
Hilperton  3  Pewsey Vale Res  2
Liden United  3  Steeple Ashton  4
Malmesbury Victoria  1  Durrington Sports  5
Plessey Sports  3  Langley Sports  1
Rodbourne Cheney WMC  3  Wills Res  0
S. Newton & Wishford  6  West Harnham  2
Fixture and result to trace
Fixture and result to trace
Fixture and result to trace
Fixture and result to trace
Fixture and result to trace

Third Round
Airsprung  3  Highworth Town A  0
Durrington Sports  3  FC Sporting  1
Falcon  3  Rodbourne Cheney WMC  2
Pinehurst Res  0  S. Newton & Wishford  1
Plessey Sports  3  Hilperton  3
Porton Sports  2  Boscombe Down  2
Purton Res  4  Blue Circle  0
Steeple   Ashton  3  Corsham Town Res  3

Replays
Boscombe Down  2  Porton Sports  2
Corsham Town Res  2  Steeple Ashton 2
Hilperton  1  Plessey Sports  3

Second Replays
Porton Sports  5  Boscombe Down  2  (aet)
Steeple Ashton  4  Corsham Town Res  2

Quarter Final
Durrington Sports  3  Purton Res  2
Falcon  2  Airsprung  1
Plessey Sports  2  Steeple Ashton  3
Porton Sports  v  South Newton & Wishford - result to trace

Semi Final
Durrington Sports  2  Falcon  4
Steeple Ashton  1  S. Newton & Wishford  2

Final
Falcon  3  South Newton & Wishford  0 (at Calne Town)

As reported by the Gazette & Herald.
Hooligans went on the rampage at Calne Town Football Club’s ground on Saturday during the Wiltshire Junior Cup Final between Swindon side Falcon and South Newton & Wishford. Damage was done to the main stand, to a changing room and to a cellar door in the clubhouse after Calne officials had refused the offenders entry. The damage took place in front of Wiltshire FA officials. Calne Town FS Secretary Andy Brewer said the cost of the damage would run into three figures, “It’s a great pity because there was no trouble on the field or between the rival group of spectators”.

Swindon & District League Premier Division leaders Falcon win the cup in convincing style beating Wiltshire League Division 3 side South Newton & Wishford 3-0. Facing a strong wind, the Swindon side went ahead in the 32nd minute, Dale Byrne harassed goalkeeper Colin Andrews into making a poor clearance and Carmelo Gallo shot home from close in. With the wind in their favour, Falcon needed only two minutes of the second half to go 2-0 up. It was a fine effort on the part of Ricky Oliver who controlled the ball well and netted with a 15-yard shot. After South Newton & Wishford lost centre forward Barry Blake with concussion in the 60th minute they ceased to pose any real threat. The Swindon side continued to surge forward and Cliff Culley completed their tally with a fine goal 10 minutes before the end. Mr Dick Nunn, of the Wiltshire FA, presented the trophy to Falcon skipper Bryn West and awards to member sof both teams.

Management Committee Members and Club Secretaries


G A Highmore stood down as Treasurer and took the place on the Management Committee vacated by B Minett.  J S Northover was elected Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

There were twelve Vice-Presidents: J Assheton, H Beattie, D B Cradock, M A Cutforth, T Gillingham, D S Mills, E G Newman, W A Shail, W W Sherwood, W J Spreadbury, H J Stevens and P E Stone.


Sixty five teams entered the League and were grouped in four Divisions: two Senior and two Junior Divisions.
Division 1 - Clubs & Secretaries
Aldbourne - S F Watts   
Amesbury Town - C G Baggott   
Avebury - A V Blake   
Bemerton Athletic - S Noke   
Calne Town - A J Brewer   
Chippenham Town Res - A L Knee succeeded by: A L Wimble   
Devizes Town Res - T P Morris succeeded by: S Gay   
Meadowcroft - A J Rowe   
Melksham Town Res - M J Perrin
Park YC - M Alexander succeeded by: K Williams
Penhill YC - S Williams
Purton - A Eastwood
Sanford - J A Leeson
Tisbury Utd - W S Rogers
Wills - P P Bond
Wroughton - C G Swatton

Division 2 - Clubs & Secretaries
Burbage Sports - D J Sweetman   
Burmah House - K J Walker   
Corsham Town - J Harris succeeded by: B Short   
Dorcan - L Berwick   
Ferndale Athletic - P D Bathe   
Marlborough Town - D W G Cripps   
Old Manor - R Avery   
Pewsey Vale - B M Flippance    
Pinehurst - D A Miles
Shrewton Utd - K P Cummings succeeded by: M Withers
St Joseph’s - B W Phillips
Walcot Athletic - E M Gray
Warminster Town Res - A D S Lawrie
Westbury Utd Res - E L Barber
Wootton Bassett Town - R J W Stone
Division 3 - Clubs & Secretaries
Amesbury Town Res - C G Baggott   
Avebury Res - A V Blake   
Bemerton Athletic Res - S Noke   
Calne Town Res - A J Brewer   
Malmesbury Victoria - D Picter   
Oldacre - A Wilson   
Park YC Res - M Alexander succeeded by: K Williams  
Penhill YC - S Williams   
Plessey Sports - C E Jones
Purton Res - A Eastwood
Ramsbury - R G Mills
Sanford Res - J A Leeson
South Newton & Wishford - D E Handford
West End - M L Brewer
West Swindon - A C Fall
Wootton Bassett Town Res - R J W Stone

Division 4 - Clubs & Secretaries
Aldbourne Res - S F Watts   
Blunsdon Utd - A J Hibbert   
Box Rovers - A Phillips   
Bromham - R Paget   
Corsham Town Res - J Harris succeeded by: B Short   
Cricklade Town - J Saunders   
Dorcan Res - L Berwick   
Harlequins - P Foster succeeded by: B George   
Liden Utd - J T Thorn   
Marlborough Town Res - D W G Cripps
Minety - A Osborn
Oaksey - R H Jackson
Pewsey Vale Res - B M Flippance
Pinehurst Res - D A Miles
Spartans - L R Fish
Stratton Red Eagles - R F Mortimer
Wills Res - P P Bond
Wroughton Res - C G Swatton
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