Sunday League Spotlight: Kingsclere FC
Newbury Sunday League has served up an intense title fight so far this season.
NWX hold a narrow lead, but it’s been Kingsclere FC who have kept the champions looking over their shoulder.
Just three points separate the sides thanks to a 4-0 NWX win when the two sides met back in October.
Kingsclere got their revenge at the start of December, dumping their rivals out of the Knock Out Cup 3-1.
Kingsclere are one of the more established clubs in the league as former members of the Hampshire Premier Football League, and boasting a squad which has played with each other for some time.
“Historically, Kingsclere have been a really successful side over the last hundred years,” explained manager Asa Oldring.
“I’ve been involved since 2009, so fifteen years, and I’ve been running it since 2022.
“I took it on after Lee Hamilton.
“They were playing up in the Hampshire League on Saturdays.”
Kingsclere’s Saturday side pulled out of the Hampshire Premier League in October 2021, citing injury issues which made fulfilling fixtures difficult.
“We’ve gone forward and set up in Sunday League and it’s just gone on from there,” Oldring said.
“It’s just about having a laugh really, having a crack with the lads.
“We always have a beer on a Sunday… and probably a Friday and Saturday as well!
“It’s a miracle we even get a side out at some points.
“When I moved back to Kingsclere a couple of years ago I organised a Christmas match, and it just sort of formed out of that.
“We saw that we had the numbers, people wanted to play football and the ability was there.
“We fell into a nice environment.”
Oldring is optimistic that the league, which has grown from six clubs to nine since September, can stick to its upward trajectory into 2025.
“We need to go to the teams who play five-a-side,” he said.
“It just takes a couple of mates to get together.
“You do need someone with their head screwed on, as you need someone to get the social and logistical stuff done.
“It needs to be well thought out and done in a sensible manner.”
Oldring is complimentary of his title rivals, praising the talent within the NWX squad, but insists that Kingsclere have the ability to match them.
“They’re a very competitive side,” he said.
“They’ve got some great wingers, great ability all over the pitch.
“But when they beat us we had a C side out. I even got ten minutes on the pitch!
“Most of the lads have played at a much higher level than this.
“Freddie Gee was semi-professional, and Declan Shuttleworth won ten trophies for the military last season.
“Some of the lads are unreal, they put a lot of effort in.
“I think it’s going to go down to goal difference really. It should be an equally fought match.
“If we get a full side out then we’ll be competitive, but I don’t want to risk anything because we’re in the last sixteen of the Hampshire FA Sunday Trophy.
“That’s good for Newbury and the area, so we’ve got to pick our battles.”
