Inside Kintbury Rangers: the Wiltshire Senior League side now 24-games unbeaten
Kintbury Rangers are now 24 games unbeaten.
Their latest win over Calne Town Reserves saw them pull out a 23-point lead at the top of the Wiltshire Senior League.
21 wins from 24 games tells the story of a remarkable season, built on a core of talented players and a pair of talented coaches.
Chris Collin and Mark “Jesse” James are still in their first season as Kintbury’s joint-managers.
They were assistants to Danny Langford last campaign, which saw Rangers finish second.
This year Kintbury have unlocked a different level, dominating their opponents throughout an incredible run.
“It was unfinished business,” said Collin.
“We added three or four players and just tweaked the team a little bit.
“We changed the mentality to ‘you can do this’, rather than ‘what if’.
“We just flew out of the blocks and kicked on.
“After the first win we just kept going.”
Being unbeaten can be a blessing and a curse for any side.
The same record which breeds confidence can also invite complacency.
The pair’s management has adapted along the way.
“I wasn’t really bothered about it,” he said.
“You almost wanted to get beat just to get the monkey off your back.
“For the first time recently, it changed.
“Before I wasn’t worried, but now it’s getting closer I'm thinking that we can actually do this!”
Kintbury have scored 62 goals this season, but even more impressive is their defensive record, having conceded just nine all season.
Their record is built on a fluid tactical approach and a highly flexible 4-3-3 setup, which often takes on two or three different shapes with a given match.
“The way we set up is to have constant movement, some teams can’t work out our formation,” he said.
“It’s stuff we’ve worked on, we don’t stand still.
“Our shape is very good.
“We’ve got two good centre-halves who are really performing this season, Aaron Voller and Terry Patton.
“Our full-backs press high to force their wingers back, and I allow a central-midfielder to drop in and create a three.
“The wingers are attack-minded, but they get back as well.
“Our centre-forward, Danny Hale, can hold the ball up and bring our two wingers into the game.
“We started off with a diamond midfield, but then George Armstrong came back and hit the ground running.”
Armstrong scored 42 league goals for Step 7 Kintbury last season, earning himself a move to Berks County FC at Step 5.
Since returning this year he’s bagged 12 in 12 games.
He’s led the way alongside Kye Williams, who has 15 to his name.
The end of a really good season! 2nd in the league and finished on 43 goals (see below for some clips)
— George Armstrong (@GeorgeA29408384) May 8, 2024
@KintburyRangers big thank you for everything this season 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/Fhl8reoj3f
“What brought George back to the club? Probably me badgering him,” he said.
“Maybe he went up too many steps too fast.
“But he’s a great lad who can definitely play at that level.
“Every single player here can go to Step 6, they’ve proved that.
“Kye is a local lad from the village, he went and played in America for a couple of years.
“Charlie McCready in goal has been around for a long time, and he’s only 24.
“To a man, they’ve all been great.
“Our captain, Jesse Bowers, has been incredible.
“Ben Luckett is in his first full year in men's football, he’s now our vice-captain.”
Some have projected Kintbury to be placed in the Wessex Football League Division One, should they win promotion to Step 6.
That could see them face sides such as AFC Aldermaston, United Services Portsmouth and two sides based on the Isle of Wight.
They’d be one level behind Tadley Calleva, and work has been underway all season to prepare the club for a step up.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Collin said.
“The club has often won titles, but never really progressed.
“We were a Step 5 club once, but had to downgrade for a few years.
“It was always a ‘what if’. Once you get somewhere, you have to find the resources to maintain it.
“That means personnel, volunteers.
“Off the pitch now we’re in a much better position.
“We’ve had some upgrades done and the league has come out and assessed the ground.
“We’ve got until March 31st to get the remainder of the fencing done.
“We want to get up closer to Hungerford, but we have to earn the right.
“With the right resources, we could do that.”
