Mangotsfield launch major expansion plan

EIGHT new teams will be playing under the Mangotsfield Unitedbanner next season following the Dr Martens League Western Divisionclub's decisions to link up with junior outfit North Bristol Coltsand also launch their own ladies side.

The move follows an approach by Peter Brown and Roger Ridd -secretary and chairman respectively of North Bristol Colts.

North Bristol run an under-11 side in the Hanham Minor League,under-12 to under-16 teams in the Avon Youth League and an under-18side in the Bristol Combination League.

"One of their sides has already progressed through to seniorfootball and play in the Regional Sunday League and they willcontinue to play as North Bristol Colts for the coming season beforechanging their name for the following season, " said Mangotsfieldchairman Roger Pullin.

"Jo Crisp, the player-manager of the newly-formed ladies side,also approached us with plans to form a new team to play in theGloucestershire County League as Mangotsfield United Ladies.

"The directors of the club see these decisions as a big stepforward which will provide us with a close link with youth footballin the area."

North Bristol Colts were formed in 1994 and Ridd said: "Our sideshave always been based on the Mangotsfield, Downend and Staple Hillareas so we see the link as natural progression.

"Two of our youngsters, Martin Nicholls and Nathan Broe, havealready progressed through the age groups and are now playing forMangotsfield Reserves in the Somerset Senior League.

"We have been drifting for the past couple of seasons and we seethe link with Mangotsfield as giving us a big boost and providing thedirection we need to advance the club's fortunes."

North Bristol play all their home games at St George CommunitySchool's ground at Johnsons Lane, Whitehall. But after next seasonthey will be seeking a new base as their ground is being redevelopedfor the school's link up with Bristol City FC "We have spoken toSouth Gloucestershire Council over the possibility of a pitch for ourhome games while the redevelopment of Johnsons Lane takes place, butif it's possible we would like to return there when the work has beencompleted, " added Ridd.

"Hopefully, we will be able to restart under-8- and under-9 sidesnext season to play in the Hanham Minor League and we are looking formanagers to run these teams."

The ladies team, which will have an age range from 15 to 40, willplay home games at Mangotsfield's Cossham Street ground.

They still want new players and anyone interested should contactCrisp on 0117 9099882 or 07788676317.

Player-coach Vicky Rodliffe and Jennie Day both previously playedfor Yate Town, while Dee Heal had a spell with Bristol City.

Other players who have signed on are Katie Harris (BristolRovers), Hayley Golding (Bristol United, Freeway, Fromeside), DebHarris (Freeway, Bristol Rovers), Lisa Hacker (Downend School) alongwith Kay Redman, Hannah Purcell and Rachel Eggbeer.