WELCOME TO THE CLUB...

The picture above shows the beautiful village of Stoke Gabriel, which nestles along the banks of a creek from the River Dart in the South Hams area of Devon.  It`s a lovely village as you can see and with its population of about 1100 it seems to be the essence of peace and tranquility.  Perhaps its only claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of the Great Western Railway`s Chief Mechanical Engineer, George Jackson Churchward, who lends his name to the local football club`s ground; and it is the football club that has recently been attracting the attention not only of the media but also romantics like myself, who take an interest in struggling football teams.  

This may be because in my playing days as a box-to-box midfield dynamo with a good engine and an eye for a pass I played for teams that perpetually struggled - probably because I was playing for them.   Anyway, my attention has been drawn to the exploits of Stoke Gabriel FC who play in the South West Peninsula League Division One East, alongside teams from big towns like Ilfracombe, Honiton, Ivybridge, Crediton  and Torrington - so the competition at least in terms of population is a bit daunting.

And so it is proving. A struggling start to the new season has seen Stoke Gabriel anchored to the bottom of the league.  So far they have played 11 games, won none, drawn none and lost all eleven.  They have managed to score two goals but sadly have conceded 137, which leaves them with a goal difference of minus 135.  Last night, for example, they played away at Axminster Town and lost 15-0.  Until last night Axminster were next to bottom of the league but have now rocketed to third from bottom on goal difference - their 15 goals last night wiping out the deficit. 

Now normally Stoke Gabriel`s exploits might, one would expect of this cruel world, bring howls of derision but far from it, for their opponents are all praising the attitude of the club, its players and coaches for their determination to keep going and work towards improved performances as the season progresses.  I agree it is praiseworthy indeed and of course they are not alone in the annals of struggles on the field of play.  The reason I have followed Fort William so assiduously over the years is that their performances have also been record breaking in terms of heavy defeats and I am not alone in continuing to follow them as they now have a world wide following of admirers.

So welcome to the club, Stoke Gabriel - keep going - you are not alone.