Slimbridge AFC were founded back in 1902 and played local level football throughout the 1900s mostly in the Stroud & District League. Slimbridge joined the Gloucestershire County League for the 2001/02 season and finished as runners-up. They were promoted to Hellenic League Division One West and were champions in their first season. A step up to the Hellenic Premier Division followed in 2003/04 and after three top five finishes The Swans were crowned Hellenic League champions in 2006/07. However due to internal problems in the club they could not join the Southern League as planned and were forced to resign from their position in the Hellenic League. Slimbridge took the place of their reserve team in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. Successive promotions saw The Swans back in Hellenic League Division One West in 2009/10 which they won for a second time at the first time of asking. After three top six finishes in the Hellenic Premier, Slimbridge transferred to the Western League Premier Division in 2013/14 but finished 16th. A season later they were promoted to the Southern League after finishing 3rd. In their first season in Division One South & West Slimbridge finished 18th.

Form Guide
Slimbridge's second season at this level has so far been similar to their first, a bit of a struggle. They lie in 17th position (W5 D7 L14) but are twelve points clear of the relegation spots. The Swans have taken only one point from their last eight league games, a 4-4 draw away to Shortwood United. Their last win was a 3-1 success over Yate Town on 19th November.

Slimbridge's last six (LLLDLL)
10/01/17 Swindon Supermarine 2 Slimbridge 0 (League)
07/01/17 Slimbridge 0 Mangotsfield United 3 (League)
02/01/17 Shortwood United 4 Slimbridge 4 (League)
27/12/16 Slimbridge 1 Bridgwater Town 2 (League)
21/12/16 Winchester City 7 Slimbridge 0 (League)
17/12/16 Tiverton Town 2 Slimbridge 1 (League)

Only two wins from their last nine has been Bideford fall away from the play-off chasing teams. The Robins will need to start stringing together some victories soon if they are to stand any chance of being contenders for the top five. A first win of 2017 is a must on Saturday in Bideford's first ever meeting with Slimbridge. Josh Colwill and Matt Bye remain unavailable for the coming weeks and James Richards has returned to Tiverton Town.

Bideford's last six (DWLWLD)
07/01/17 Bishop's Cleeve 3 Bideford 3 (League)
02/01/17 Bideford 2 Taunton Town 4 (League)
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)

Bideford vs Slimbridge
Southern League Division One South & West
Saturday 14th January 2017
3:00pm kick off
Sports Ground, Bideford

Slimbridge AFC
Web: http://www.slimbridgeafc.co.uk
Twitter: @slimbridgeafc