HISTORY OF WELTON ROVERS F.C

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HISTORY OF WELTON ROVERS

Welton Rovers were one of the founding members of the Western Football League. The club itself being formed in 1887 and throughout the years has achieved success both at local and regional level. Welton provided a chance for the local people of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock areas to forget their hard lives, many as coal miners in the local Somerset coalfield and escape and either play or support their local team playing at West Clewes at Welton.

Today Welton Rovers are perhaps one of the largest clubs in the area in terms of player involvement on a week to week basis. The first team play in the ToolStation Western League First Division,  whilst the Reserves play in the Somerset County League Division 2 East and the Under 18’s team are members of the Somerset Floodlight Youth League.  

The club enjoyed one of its most successful seasons in its recent history when in the 1999-2000 season the first team gained promotion to the Premier League, after a 10 year absence, when they finished runners up in the First Division. To cap a memorable season the Reserves were runaway winners of the Somerset Senior League First Division to also gain promotion.

Since that season Welton Rovers have consolidated their position as an established Premier League Club and under the management  of Chris Mountford, ably assisted by Mike Ford, and saw Welton finish fourth in the league, their highest position for thirty years and finalists in the Les Phillips Cup for the first time losing to Willand Rovers.

At the end of season 2007/08 Chris and Mike left the club a new managerial team, namely Mark Harrington and his assistant Graham Colbourne were appointed. Both have a wide range of football and coaching experience Mark having been captain of Bath City and Paulton Rovers as well as being a local lad.

Mark and Graham’s first campaign in charge saw the Club have a very successful season and finish a commendable eighth position in the League, which included an unbeaten run that stretched from the end of October to March.

Season 2009/10 saw Welton improve in the League to fifth position and for the first time in the clubs history reached the final of the Somerset Premier Cup final, beating Paulton Rovers and Yeovil Town on route to the Final. The final was against Bridgewater Town with no score after extra time. Welton won the penalty shot by4 goals to 2 goals.

Season 2010/11 was difficult for Welton after Mark Harrington`s departure. Mark Leaney was appointed but this did not work out and Nick Beaverstock was appointed manager at the start February 2011 but was unable to avoid relegation to the First Division for season 2011/12. Nick remains in charge and has been rebuilding the squad for the ensuing season

Season 2011/12 saw Nick Beaverstock rebuild the squad and finish in 7th position but due to business commitment has stepped down as manager during the close season.

Our new manager for season 2012/13 is Stuart Minall who has previously played and managed Welton Rovers and we wish him every success.