Tucker Park
Park Road
Faringdon
Oxfordshire
SN7 7BP
01367 241759
Ground Number: 1405
Tuesday 18th March 2025
Tuesday 18th March 2025
Saxton Rovers 1-5 Abingdon United Dev
Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup Semi-Final
FARINGDON TOWN FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
Faringdon Town Football Club was officially founded in 1906 when it was accepted by the Berks & Bucks Football Association, to enter its competitions. The club joined the North Berks League in 1909 and were runners-up in 1931 before winning the title the following year. Faringdon were runners-up twice more before winning the title again in 1953. From 1961 until 1966, the club had a spell in the Hellenic League with a best finish of 5th in 1965. Following this, they rejoined the North Berks League, becoming champions for a third time in 1979. A further runners-up spot came in 1993 but in 2002, the club were relegated to Division 2, bouncing back straight away as runners-up to Ardington & Lockinge. Faringdon rejoined the Hellenic League in 2016, spending four seasons in Division 2 West and three in Division 2 South before joining the Wiltshire League in 2023. In their first season, they finished as runners-up to Park United in Division 1 and promotion to the Premier Division.
MY VISIT
This game was decided upon last Wednesday when the Football Traveller was delivered to my inbox. I was initially struggling for a game and thinking it would be a night in as the local revisits did not appeal. Originally on this day, I was set to go to Verwood v Ringwood Town but it was put back a couple of weeks to clash with Wycombe Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town. A fixture that was being played at Faringdon Town came to the rescue. This was very much a ground I fancied doing. It also looked like a decent venue, and it was one of five that I needed to complete the Wiltshire Senior League. The tie in the long-running Faringdon Thursdays Cup between Saxton Rovers and Abingdon United Development. It was a great opportunity and a reminder of why I still sub to the Traveller even when the likes of Futbology cover most games, this one was not listed. I had considered doing this ground on a Saturday on public transport before the bus fare cap was raised but the pub choices were not enough to choose it over other places.
From Glasgow, I was not especially looking forward to the coach home, especially as I was reasonably sober. I made sure to get to the station in good time and saw a huge queue which did not bode well. Despite this, Colin and I managed to get the back seat, with a spare seat in the middle for our luggage. It was still pretty cramped though but I did manage to grab some poor-quality sleep. I was awake again at 3 so I watched YouTube videos and listened to audiobooks. We were back at Heathrow at 5.10 and it was a lot easier to get back home from there. I was back home just after 7 and went straight to bed. I was surprised when I got over five hours of sleep and woke up around lunchtime. The afternoon was spent catching up, it was a shock to see how much I'd spent in the last month and I'll be glad of payday on Friday. I did my research on Monday evening, the excellent Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup website proved a great help.
I had a decent night's sleep before the day of the game. I woke around 7.30 and after getting freshened up and changed, I went for my usual walk down Wycombe and back. I got some things that I needed as well as an 11-mile walk. En route, I was trying to make final plans for my upcoming trip to Belgium & France with Colin and his Dad. Not helped by awkward kickoff times and lack of choice, it was a tough job, made all the trickier by lack of communication. So a few days before, I don't even know what time we are leaving or where we are going. I looked at planning for a potential June trip to Oslo, but the logistics were not working out. I knew I'd be paying loads, so I wanted some margin for error which was not forthcoming, so it was put off for another week. I was supposed to be meeting Colin, but after five phone calls with no answer, I gave up and went. 40 minutes after our meeting time, he rang me and gave me a load of abuse as I wouldn't turn around and make a 40-mile detour to go and pick him up. He then rang 50 minutes later and apologised. I was at Faringdon at 7, getting some pictures before kickoff.
Saxton Rovers had travelled just under 16 miles to this game. They were 5th in the Oxfordshire Senior Premier. Abingdon United had travelled a mile further and were top of the Oxford Senior D1. Both teams did not compete in the 1st Round of the competition - Saxton Rovers were given a bye and Abingdon United Development progressed after opponents CHQ United were unable to field a team. Saxton Rovers won 6-3 at Shrivenham Town Development in the Quarter Final, Abingdon United Development got another walkover after Faringdon Town were unable to fulfil the fixture. The other semi-final between Letcombe and Swindon Supermarine Development will take place tomorrow. The game kicked off early at 7.26. Both sides had chances, Abingdon had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a foul. Minutes later, Saxton Rovers forced a good save out of the keeper to see it remain scoreless. Saxton Rovers took the lead on 33 minutes, a header from #17 following a succession of corners. On 41 minutes, it was all square, Abingdon #8 scoring a penalty awarded for an infringement despite a valiant effort from the Saxton keeper. A quick halftime break followed, the second half kicking off at 8.22. On 55 minutes, a great low strike from the edge of the area by the Abingdon #8 gave his side the lead. It was they who continued to push forward, coming close again soon after. Impressive given that the first team were playing which meant a reduced choice of players. They seemed to have sealed the game on 72 minutes, a deflected low shot by #14 from just inside the area making it 3-1. A minute later, it was 4-1, good pace by #13 on the break as he shot past the exposed keeper. On 86 minutes, Abingdon made it 5-1, a good run and shot by #13 from the edge of the area. They'd blown their opponents away in the second half and fully deserved their win.
THE GROUND
TUCKER PARK is named after fallen soldier Michael Tucker, one of six players from the team who sadly lost their lives during the Second World War. The ground is an excellent setup, with the potential to make step 6, given that the hurdle of floodlights has been overcome. It'll just need hard standing, a stand and possible enclosement. As it stands, the pleasant clubhouse provides a decent range of drinks and is a real community hub. There is a small car park, although supporters are advised to use the nearby industrial estate, street parking, or Tesco. Nearby is the Swan Pub and an Indian takeaway.
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