Bishop’s Cleeve Development has enjoyed a notable improvement over recent months, positioning themselves as strong contenders in the Gloucestershire County League despite a tough 3–1 loss against league leaders Sharpness on Saturday. Although promotion this season is no longer within their grasp due to having played more matches than their closest rivals, the team currently holds an encouraging third-place spot.
Manager Alex Cheal emphasized that while promotion this year is unlikely, it remains the club’s “ultimate aim in the next few seasons.” The club’s ambition shines through, especially as the development squad aims to bridge the gap with the first team. Achieving promotion would bring the two sides closer in competitive standing, strengthening the pathway for emerging talent.
The first team itself is pushing for success, sitting in the play-off positions in the Southern League Division One South, aiming for promotion into the Premier Division South — a level that Cheal believes matches the squad’s strengths perfectly. He credits the development squad’s recent positive form to a consistent run of fixtures, noting, “Once our group has a run of matches, form takes care of itself.”
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Unlike many teams that struggle to adjust to the County League’s demands, Bishop’s Cleeve Development has excelled, winning over half of their league matches this season. Their rapid progress after gaining promotion last year is commendable, and has exceeded both internal and external expectations. Given the squad’s quality, Cheal is confident in their potential, stating, “We have a group capable of holding our own in the Hellenic League.”
Offensively, the team has been formidable, netting 21 goals in their last six games. Leading the charge is Monty New with 17 goals this season, while George Ellerton has also impressed with 11 goals in just 16 appearances. However, defensive solidity remains an issue, having conceded 53 league goals. Cheal acknowledges this as a key area for improvement if the team wants to achieve promotion in future seasons.
With just four away fixtures remaining, Bishop’s Cleeve Development aims to finish the season strongly, despite their rivals having games in hand. Their next challenge is away at Wick on Monday at 3pm, where they will look to maintain momentum and build confidence for the seasons to come.