A Brief History of Taunton Town FC
Taunton Town were originally founded in 1947 as Taunton FC joining Western League Division Two in 1954/55. Just one season later Taunton finished second and were promoted to the Western League Premier Division. In 1968/69 Taunton won their first Western League title and also changed their name to Taunton Town. The Peacocks stepped up to the Southern League Southern Division in 1977/78 but switched to the Midland Division a year later before dropping back to the Western League in 1983/84. Taunton won their second Western League title in 1989/90 which kicked off a very successful period for the club. They were runners-up in the FA Vase in 1993/94 losing the final to Diss Town at Wembley. A third Western League title was won in 1995/96 and three more followed with consecutive titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Peacocks also lifted the FA Vase in 2001 with a final victory over Berkhampsted Town at Villa Park. After finishing as runners-up in 2001/02 Taunton accepted promotion to the Southern League Western Division. They were moved to Division One South & West in the league reshuffle in 2006. Taunton finished fourth in 2014/15 but were beaten in their play-off semi final by Stratford Town and finished a club high of third a season later but this time were beaten in the play-off final by Banbury United. The six time Western League champions have twice reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. Firstly in 1981/82 where they were beaten by Swindon Town and also this season where they were edged out by Barrow after a replay.

Form Guide
There’s no team in the league, including Hereford, that are in better form than Taunton Town. After a terrific FA Cup run The Peacocks are now on a run of seven straight league wins beating the likes of Evesham, Mangotsfield and most recently arch rivals Tiverton Town on Boxing Day. They also hammered bottom club Wantage Town 9-0. Taunton bring with them many familiar faces and Monday’s game will see the return of ex-Robins such as Matt Wright, Matt Villis, Craig Veal, Craig Duff, Lloyd Irish, Ed Palmer and coach Rob Dray.

Taunton Town's last six (WWWWWW)
26/12/16 Taunton Town 2 Tiverton Town 0 (League)
17/12/16 Wantage Town 0 Taunton Town 9 (League)
13/12/16 AFC Totton 1 Taunton Town 3 (League)
10/12/16 Mangotsfield United 0 Taunton Town 4 (League)
06/12/16 Taunton Town 4 Paulton Rovers 1 (League)
03/12/16 Taunton Town 2 Evesham United 1 (League)

Bideford returned to winning ways on Boxing Day by completing a league double over neighbours Barnstaple Town thanks to a Kai Fisher header. The Robins will now be without goalkeeper Josh Colwill for an extended period of time but have brought Grant Fisher back to the club to replace him. After missing the derby at Mill Road, James Richards and Sean Downing are back in contention.

Bideford's last six (DLDWLW)
26/12/16 Barnstaple Town 0 Bideford 1 (League)
20/12/16 Bideford 1 Winchester City 2 (League)
13/12/16 Bideford 2 Bridgwater Town 0 (League)
10/12/16 Bideford 0 AFC Totton 0 (League)
03/12/16 North Leigh 2 Bideford 1 (League)
29/11/16 Tiverton Town 1 Bideford 1 (League)

Most recent meetings
03/10/16 Bideford 4 Taunton Town 0 (Southern League Cup R1)
15/10/13 Bideford 3 Taunton Town 2 (Southern League Cup R1)
09/04/12 Bideford 1 Taunton Town 0 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
26/12/11 Taunton Town 2 Bideford 3 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
22/11/11 Bideford 4 Taunton Town 3 (Southern League Cup R2)

Bideford vs Taunton Town
Southern League Division One South & West
Monday 2nd January 2017
3:00pm kick off
Sports Ground, Bideford

Taunton Town FC
Web: http://www.tauntontown.com
Twitter: @TauntonTownFC