Ton-up time

The 47-year-old goalkeeper and United chairman has been playing for the club since he was 18, and has no intention of standing down for the 2004/05 season.

He said: "I am looking forward to my 30th year with the club, but whether I am picked or not is another matter.

"I am told there is not a problem but you never know, they might decide to pick a few of the youngsters.

"However, I am still enjoying my football at the moment, and have no thoughts of retiring, the legs are still goingish.

"I had a few seasons at full-back but have spent the majority of my time playing for Blunsdon in goal."

Blunsdon United Football Club was formed in 1904 when a lady known simply as Mrs Titley donated some land to the village. Locals formed a team and the land became their football pitch.

This year Blunsdon United FC are 100 years old and have celebrated their centenary.

A special anniversary disco and barbecue was held last Saturday night at Sutton Park, their home venue, to mark the landmark.

"It was very well attended despite it being a wet evening," said chairman Read. "I am sure we would have had a few more if it had been drier.

"But we were well pleased to have close on 100 players, ex-players and their families attend.

"It was a very successful evening, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves until the early hours of the morning."

He continued: "It was nice to see the older generation attend and reminisce they don't get the chance to get out much these days.

"There were plenty of locals at the do, which is not surprising, but several of our former members who had moved away.

"It was good to see them back and link-up with old friends again."

Blunsdon have enjoyed competitive football over the years but silverware has been rather lacking. This May though they won their first cup for 41 years when beating Ferndale Rodbourne 5-1 in the Wiltshire Junior Cup.

Their previous success was back in 1963 when the club scooped the Swindon & District League Junior Cup after beating Pressed Steel

7-1.