Datchet Village

Club Profile- Datchet Village

In our November club profile we look at Datchet Village, a Thames Valley Sunday Football League club. This Charter Standard club play at Datchet...

We asked club Secretary Andrew Clemens about the club who run 3 teams on a Sunday, he puts this success down to lots of people wanting to manage, coach and involve themselves in the club after their playing days. He also attributes the clubs success to generous sponsorship from local companies.

Here is what Andrew had to say...

"The Club is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this season, after being setup in 1986 by Emmy Award Winning Documentary Film Producer Jamie Doran along with fellow player, Paul Skelly. Both are still involved with the running of the side, Doran is the Club’s President and Skelly is the Club’s Chairman. In 1996, Andrew Clemens joined the club as a player, but soon found himself in the role of Secretary, a position that he still holds to this day.

Success was not instantaneous for the club, far from it.  In fact they had to wait until the 2002/2003 season to win its first honour, the Thames Valley Sunday Football League Division Two League Title, a team, managed by DVFC Legend Derek O’Haire, that Chairman Paul Skelly, Secretary Andrew Clemens as well as current 1st team captain, Billy Davis, were all playing in! Their first Cup Final win came in the 2010/11 season at the fourth time of asking, triumphing in the Mary Wells Cup, with Charlie Norcott becoming the first Datchet player in the clubs history to score in a Cup Final.

In 2013 the club decided to expand its playing side by introducing a Reserve Team, closely followed by a Third Team a season later. Currently, the club has over 70 signed on players, which is partly due to the club being very successful in recruiting and retaining players by giving them the opportunity to play for whichever side they choose. It is also due to the large number of people who want to involve themselves on the managing and coaching side at the club, making it an easy choice for players to want to stay. The First and Second team managers, Charlie Norcott & Steve Turner, have both played for the club, Steve’s assistant John Chenery’s son Dan plays currently as does Third Team Manager Ashley Cox and his Assistant Jason Ash, when the opportunity arises. In addition, the club also has a large and well run committee, made up of current and ex-players, that is there to make sure that the club is run as efficiently and effectively as possible, whilst making sure that everyone is enjoying being part of the club.

Since the adding of additional teams, the following seasons have been much more successful.  Another two league titles, a cup win, several promotions and many cup final appearances have followed.  These successes have given the club ambitions to expand even more in the coming years, by firstly creating a Youth setup whilst also considering Vets and Women’s Football. It may even look to expand further with its Adult Male sides on a Sunday by creating a 4th team for the 2017/2018 season, however this will depend on the success of attracting new players between now and the start of next season.

The club has been very fortunate over the years to have had some very loyal supporters (a special mention here for their longest serving supporter John “Chopper” Davis who has attended DVFC matches weekly, whatever the weather, since the club came into existence) and also the many helpful local businesses that have always been happy to sponsor the side.  These sponsors have included Dolphin Bathrooms, Academy Insurance, The Royal Stag Pub, Datchet Post Office, The Royal British Legion, DG Site Preparation and, currently, Sporter (the club management app) as well as current Main Sponsor, Spices Indian Restaurant Datchet. All of these have contributed keeping the club financially secure, improving our match day facilities, whilst allowing the club to expand and become successful. We are truly grateful to all that have contributed financially."

Datchet Village Football Club is always on the lookout for new players. If you are looking for a club, feel free to attend one of their training sessions on a Thursday Evening 8pm – 9.30pm at The Langley Academy SL3 7EF or contact the Club Secretary Andrew Clemens via email using datchetvillagefc@gmail.com. More information can be found about the club on their website, www.dvfc.co.uk, their Facebook Page Datchet Village Football Club and via their Twitter Feed @dvfc.

We would like to thank Andrew for taking time to put together this information and wish him and the club the best of luck for this season and beyond.

Previous Club Profiles:
Club Profile- Harchester Hawks

If you would like your club profiled please email Matthew.Pill@Berks-BucksFA.com