Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Season 1981-82

Season 1981-82 was an exciting one with the destination of the title going right to the wire in the top three divisions of the Wiltshire County League. It ended up being a great season for clubs from Swindon with the top three divisions going to sides from the town.

In the top division there were familiar champions as Park took the title for the fifth time in six seasons. Reminiscent of that first title in the first season of the league’s history when goal average decided the championship, this time round goal difference was needed to separate Park from runners-up Avebury. The title race went right down to the final game of the season. Park were worthy champions as they beat most teams twice including Avebury. Only three games were lost all season against Melksham Town, Amesbury and Penhill. Melksham also drew with Park in the return game and they were the only team to take more than two points off Park. As well as winning the league Park also took the Ghia Senior Cup, defeating Sanford 2-0 in the final. Avebury’s disappointment at losing the championship by so narrow a margin after leading until the last four days of the season received consolation when they lifted the Wiltshire Senior Cup by defeating Chippenham Town 2-1 in the final at Melksham. At the other end of the table the three sides finishing in relegation positions were Devizes Town Reserves, Ferndale Athletic and Malmesbury Victoria although Devizes were ultimately reprieved as Salisbury City Reserves withdrew from the league. Salisbury won their last game 5-1 away at Ferndale Athletic before being disbanded.

The championship of Division 2 was a straight fight between two clubs, Swindon based Meadowcroft and Salisbury side Bemerton Athletic, with both sides having to play Chippenham Town Reserves in their final respective games. Meadowcroft won their game 5-0 but Bemerton lost 2-1 so the title went to Meadowcroft. Had the two results been reversed the pair would have been level on points with Bemerton champions on goal difference. For Meadowcroft it was a great first season at senior level and they almost achieved the accolade of the going the whole season without a defeat. After going 30 games unbeaten their first and only defeat of the season came on 28th April when they lost 4-1 at home against Purton. Both Meadowcroft and Bemerton gained promotion and they were joined by Tisbury who won a promotion race against Shrewton United by winning their final game while Shrewton only drew. At the other end of the table Sarsen finished bottom, one point behind Aldbourne.

Two Swindon sides Moredon and Walcot Athletic battled it out for the Division 3 title. Moredon had to win their final game to take the championship and having done so finished one point ahead of Walcot. At the other end of the table in a tough season for the club Bromham won just two games all season and finished eleven points adrift of Ramsbury at the bottom of the table.

Calne Town Reserves led Division 4 for weeks before finally winning the title by two points from Blunsdon United who gained promotion in their first season in the league. The two sides were joined in Division 3 for the following season by South Newton & Wishford.

In a good season for Park their Reserve side won the Ghia Junior Cup defeating Blunsdon 2-0 in the final at Burderop Park.

Seagry won the E C Mills Sportsmanship Award.  R M Cady of Burbage Sports won the inaugural Club Secretary’s Award.  C W Taylor was presented with the Ghia Referees Award.
Programme - Calne Town v Westbury Utd
27-03-1982
Division One side Calne Town produced a programme and pictured here is the one for their game against Westbury United on 27th March 1982. Current League President Ken Clarke was the referee for this game. Click on the image of the Programme to bring up a PDF version of the full programme.
Top Scorers

Division 1
G. Evason  (Warminster Town)  35
G. Broom  (Melksham Town Res)  23
J. Quartly  (Park)   22
N. Walker  (Avebury)  21
J. Whyte  (St Josephs)  20
T. Hanrahan  (Sanford)  16

Division 2
K. Higgs  (Highworth Town)  36
C. Pike  (Meadowcroft)  29
D. Rideout  (Bemerton)  26
R. Smith  (Corsham Town)  25
S. Cox  (Bemerton)  23
L. Laurent  (Tisbury)  23

Division 3
C. Valters  (West Swindon)  37
K. Fisher  (Moredon)  24
L. Kirby  (Moredon)  23
J. Hurlihy  (Park Res)  22
J. White  (Sanford)  22
R. Olliver  (Penhill Res)  21
M. Brown  (Warminster Town Res)  21

Division 4
S. Webb  (Blunsdon)  34
V. Basilone  (Blunsdon)  24
J. Crocker  (South Newton & Wishford)  24
D. Goodman (Calne Town Res)  21
M. Hiscocks (South Newton & Wishford)  21
A. Gardener  (Sarsen Res)  18
Ghia Senior Cup 1981-82

Preliminary Round
Aldbourne  0  Malmesbury Victoria  4
Pewsey Vale  0  Wroughton  4
Wootton Bassett Town  1  Supermarine  1

Replay
Supermarine  3  Wootton Bassett Town  1

First Round
Avon Bradford  2  Melksham Town Res  1
Chippenham Town Res  1  Amesbury  2
Corsham Town  4  Durrington Sports  3
Devizes Town Res  0  Calne Town  2
Dorcan  0  Wroughton  1 (aet)
Ferndale Athletic  1  Meadowcroft  3
Malmesbury Victoria  3  Supermarine  4
Park  6  Highworth Town  2
Penhill  3  Bemerton Athletic  2
Salisbury City Res  2  Sarsen  1
Sanford  3  Burbage Sports  1
Shrewton United  2  St Josephs  4
T. Warner Pinehurst  1  Westbury United  3
Tisbury United  3  Marlborough Town  4
Trowbridge Town Res  4  Purton  0
Warminster Town  1  Avebury  0

Second Round
Amesbury  0  Warminster Town  1
Avon Bradford  0  St Josephs  1
Devizes Town Res  0  Park  3
Meadowcroft  0  Marlborough Town  1
Salisbury City Res  0  Sanford  2
Trowbridge Town Res  0  Penhill  1
Westbury United Res  3  Corsham Town  2
Wroughton  3  Supermarine  1

Quarter Final
Marlborough Town  0  Warminster Town  5
Park  1  St Josephs  0
Westbury United  1  Sanford  1 (aet)
Wroughton  3  Penhill  2 (aet)

Replay
Sanford  1  Westbury United  0

Semi Final
Park  1   Warminster Town  0
Sanford  2  Wroughton  2 (aet)

Replay
Wroughton  1  Sanford  2 (aet)

Final
Park  2  Sanford  0

As reported by the Gazette & Herald.
The Ghia Cups for senior and junior Wiltshire League teams both went to Park, winners of the League’s Division 1 championship. The club, however, are about to lose the services of their guiding trio, coach Alex Baxter, his assistant Dennis Firman and secretary Jim Prothero. Park beat Sanford 2-0 in the Senior Cup final at Avebury which was decided by three minutes of brilliance by Steve Burson. Park dominated the first half but failed to beat goalkeeper Martin Spackman. But just when Sanford were getting on top in the second half, Burson struck with two individual goals. He snapped up his first in the 51st minute when he left two defenders standing, picked his spot and drove the ball home. Three minutes later he rounded Andy Bowden and drew Spackman from goal to run the ball into the empty net. A few minutes later Burson just missed his hat-trick with a shot that skimmed the crossbar..
Ghia Junior Cup 1981-82

Preliminary Round
Dorcan Res 5  Marlborough Town Res  2
South Marston  6  Corsham Town Res  4
Walcot Ath  6  Supermarine Res  1
Warminster Town Res  1  Park Res  4

First Round
Blunsdon United  6  Aldbourne Res  2 (aet)
Box Rovers  0  Dorcan Res 3
Durrington Sports Res 2  Amesbury Res  4
Hampton  0  Sanford Res  5
Moredon  2  Park Res  4  (aet)
Purton Res  1  Bromham Res  0
Ramsbury  2  Avebury  Res  5
Sarsen Res  2  Cricklade Town  1
Seagry  6  Malmesbury Victoria Res 1
S. Newton & Wishford  2  A. Bradford Res  6
West Swindon  4  South Marston  2
Wroughton Res 2  Bemerton Ath Res  3
Wootton Bassett Town Res  0  Walcot Ath  1
Highworth Town Res v fixture/result to trace
Penhill Res  v fixture/result to trace
Pewsey Vale Res v fixture/result to trace

Second Round
Blunsdon United  4  Penhill Res  2
Highworth Town Res  3  Dorcan Res  0
Park Res  4  Bemerton Ath Res  1
Sanford Res  2  Avebury Res  1 (aet)
Sarsen Res  2  Pewsey Vale Res  3
Seagry  2  Purton Res  2
Walcot Ath  2  Avon Bradford Res  1
West Swindon  1  Amesbury Res  2

Replay
Purton Res  3  Seagry  1

Quarter Final
Amesbury Res  0  Park Res  2
Blunsdon United v Pewsey Vale Res - result to trace
Highworth Town Res  2  Purton Res  1
Sanford Res  1  Walcot Ath  2

Semi Final
Blunsdon United  3  Walcot Ath  1
Park Res  4  Highworth Town Res  1

Final
Park Res  2  Blunsdon United  0

As reported by the Gazette & Herald.
Park Reserves won 2-0 in the Ghia Junior Cup final against Blunsdon at Burderop Park. Both goals came in the second half but Park were fortunate when Blunsdon missed a 50th minute penalty. Four minutes later John Hurlihy put Park in front with a far post header from a centre by Trevor Jenkins. Blunsdon, playing well, but unable to reach their usual high-scoring ways, kept the score at 1-0 until Hurlihy scored again in the 81st minute, after chesting down a centre from Eddie Lowkis.
Wiltshire Senior Cup 1981-82

Preliminary Round
Burbage Sports  3  Chippenham T Res  3
Supermarine  2  Warminster Town  2

Replays
Chippenham T Res  3  Burbage Sports  1
Warminster T v Supermarine - result to trace

First Round
Avebury  5  Avon Bradford  2
Bemerton Athletic  3  Marlborough Town  3
Calne Town  2  Dorcan  2
Chippenham Town Res  2  Tisbury United  1
Corsham Town  5  Aldbourne  2
Devizes Town  1  Durrington Sports  3
Downton 1 Warminster Town  1
Ferndale Athletic  1  Sarsen  1
Meadowcroft  0  Amesbury  0
Melksham Town  9  T. Warner Pinehurst 0
Penhill  3  St Josephs  0
Pewsey Vale  1  Highworth Town  2
Purton  0  Wroughton  0
Sanford  1  Park  1
Shrewton United 1   W. Bassett Town  2
Westbury United  3  Malmesbury Victoria  1

Replays
Amesbury  1  Meadowcroft  2
Dorcan  2  Calne Town  3
Marlborough Town  2  Bemerton Athletic  1
Park  3  Sanford  2
Sarsen  1  Ferndale Athletic  3
Warminster Town  4  Downton  3
Wroughton  3  Purton  1

Second Round
Avebury  3  Marlborough Town  1
Chippenham Town Res  v  Westbury United - result to trace
Durrington Sports  1  Wroughton  1
Ferndale Athletic  0  Park  2
Highworth Town  1  Calne Town  1
Meadowcroft  1  Melksham Town  2
Penhill  4  Corsham Town  1
Warminster Town  5  W. Bassett Town  3

Replays
Calne Town  3  Highworth Town  1
Wroughton 1  Durrington Sports  3

Quarter Final
Avebury  2  Park  1
Melksham Town  1  ChippenhamT Res  1
Penhill  0  Calne Town  2
Warminster Town  2  Durrington Sports  1

Replay
Chippenham T Res  4  Melksham Town  3

Semi Final
Calne Town  0  Avebury  3
Chippenham T Res  2  Warminster Town  1

Final
Avebury  2  Chippenham T Res  1  (at Melksham Town)

As reported by the Gazette & Herald.
Avebury with two second half goals, clinched the Wilts Senior Cup for the first time in their history in a highly competitive final at Melksham on Saturday. Although Chippenham were the better side, Avebury deserved their 2-1 win because they took what few chances were created in a game confined largely to a midfield battle. After Chippenham goalkeeper Gerry Pearce had fumbled a Phil Gadsden free kick and Sid Sutton had gone close to winning a penalty, the best first-half chance fell to Avebury’s striker Trevor Tinson. The ex-Swindon Town man got behind the Chippenham defence from Nathan Walker’s cross but failed to beat Pearce from close range just two minutes before half time. 

Four minutes after the break, however, Tinson atoned. He produced the spadework before firing in a fine shot at the near post. And after Steve Baker had all but equalised for Chippenham, Sutton picked up a loose ball to increase Avebury’s lead in the 66th minute. Avebury had fullback Headley Hazel and Tony Vines booked. But it was surprising that Swindon referee Terry Beer failed to caution Avebury’s central defender Bob Archer who for sheer accumulation of fouls on Chippenham’s John Freegard deserved a booking. Freegard, however, had the final say when two minutes from time he netted from close range but for Chippenham the goal came much too late. In front of a very good crowd, that helped to make it a cup final atmosphere, Avebury received the cup from Wiltshire county Football Association chairman Bill Humphries.
Wiltshire Senior Cup Winners, Avebury
Tony Brown, Headley Hazel, Paul Johnson, Tony Vines, Bob Archer, Phil Gadsden, Mal Grubb, Ken Ovens. Trevor Tinson, Nathan Walker, Sid Sutton and Kevin Messenger (not in photo order).

Management Committee Members and Club Secretaries


League Secretary, E S M Ashman stood down at the Annual General Meeting and reverted to the Management Committee.  P J Ackrill was elected League Secretary with R J M Wirdnam being elected as Registration Secretary.  The Officers and Committee were therefore: D S Paget (President), J R Nunn (Chairman), W L Miles (Vice-Chairman), P J Ackrill (Secretary), G A Highmore (Treasurer), P M Cook (Fixture Secretary), R J M Wirdnam (Registration Secretary), M G Benson (Referees' Appointments Secretary) and a Management Committee of E S M Ashman, C W Cousins, D C Kilford, B Minett, S W Moore, and B W Phillips.


The Vice-Presidents remained as: H Beattie, A E Beavis, D B Cradock, M A Cutforth, T Gillingham, Mrs E T Mills, D S Mills, E G Newman, W A Shail, W W Sherwood, H J Stevens and P E Stone.


Seventy two teams entered the League and were grouped in four Divisions: two Senior and two Junior Divisions.
Division 1 - Clubs & Secretaries
Amesbury Town - W J Spreadbury   
Avebury - A V Blake   
Avon (Bradford) - D Jones   
Bromham - B Minnet   
Calne Town - A G Merrett   
Devizes Town Res - J Goodship succeeded by: J Butler   
Ferndale Athletic - P D Bathe   
Malmesbury Victoria - F G Marsh succeeded by: J Poole   
Melksham Town Res - M J Perrin   
Park YC - D J Prothero
Penhill YC - M K Whitaker
Salisbury City Res - D F Sharp
Sanford - J A Leeson
St Joseph’s YC - B W Phillips
Supermarine - E Stott
Trowbridge Town Res - K Owens
Warminster Town - D W Dawkins
Westbury Utd - E L Barber

Division 2 - Clubs & Secretaries
Aldbourne - S F Watts   
Bemerton Athletic - S Noke   
Burbage Sports - R M Cady   
Chippenham Town Res - A L Knee   
Corsham Town - M G Cooper   
Dorcan - A F Jennings   
Durrington Sports - T J Roberts   
Highworth Town - D Busson   
Marlborough Town - D W G Cripps   
Meadowcroft - Mrs B Smith
Pewsey Vale - R Fishlock
Purton - A Eastwood
Sarsen - R A Mason succeeded by: R G Ewin
Shrewton - F H Matthews
Terry Warner (Pinehurst) - D A Miles
Tisbury - W S Rogers
Wootton Bassett Town - P E Stone succeeded by: N P Horton
Wroughton - C G Swatton
Division 3 - Clubs & Secretaries
Amesbury Town Res - W J Spreadbury   
Avebury Res - A V Blake   
Avon (Bradford) Res - D Jones   
Bemerton Athletic Res - S Noke   
Bromham Res - B Minnet   
Malmesbury Victoria Res - F G Marsh succeeded by: J Poole   
Marlborough Town Res - D W G Cripps   
Moredon EC - B M Rhodes   
Park YC Res - D J Prothero   
Penhill YC Res - M K Whitaker
Ramsbury - R G Mills
Sanford Res - J A Leeson
Seagry - B N Porter
South Marston - W M A Harrison
Supermarine Res - E Stott
Walcot Athletic - Mrs E M Gray
Warminster Town Res - D W Dawkins
West Swindon - A C Fall

Division 4 - Clubs & Secretaries
Aldbourne Res - S F Watts   
Blunsdon Utd - A J Hibbert   
Box Rovers - G M Peplow   
Calne Town Res - A G Merrett   
Corsham Town Res - M G Cooper   
Cricklade Town - A M Large   
Dorcan Res - A F Jennings   
Durrington Sports Res - T J Roberts   
Ferndale Athletic Res - P D Bathe   
Hampton - T Ayres
Highworth Town Res - D Busson
Pewsey Vale Res - R Fishlock
Purton Res - A Eastwood
Sarsen Res - R A Mason succeeded by: R G Ewin
South Newton & Wishford - D E Handford
Terry Warner (Pinehurst) Res - D A Miles
Wootton Bassett Town Res - P E Stone succeeded by: N P Horton
Wroughton Res - C G Swatton
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