Weston-super-Mare defender Sam Avery has successfully called upon a favour from his former manager Paul Collicutt to secure a vital training venue ahead of the Seagulls’ historic FA Cup third round tie this weekend.
The National League South side have reached this prestigious stage of the competition for the first time in their history and are set to face League Two’s Grimsby Town on Saturday, with kickoff at 5.45 pm.
Originally, Weston-super-Mare planned to train at Sheffield United during their travel to Lincolnshire but had to change plans when those arrangements fell through. Thanks to Avery’s connection with Collicutt, the team will now train on the 3G pitch at Kayte Lane on Friday morning.
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Avery’s relationship with Collicutt runs deep; the defender made his debut under Collicutt’s guidance at Bishop’s Cleeve as a 16-year-old. A nephew of former Cheltenham Town and Wolves star Mark Buckland, Avery began his football journey in Gloucester City’s youth ranks before gaining senior experience at Chipping Norton Town.
He signed for Bishop’s Cleeve in 2006, quickly establishing himself as a formidable centre-half and earning regular first-team appearances. Reflecting on Avery’s early days, Collicutt recalls, “I remember Sam coming to his first training session with his older brother Dan; he was too nervous to get out of the car at first!”
After spells at Carterton Town and another period at Cleeve, Avery trialled with Forest Green Rovers but eventually moved to Shortwood United in 2013. He rejoined Gloucester City in 2014, captaining the side until 2020.
Now 35, Avery has been a crucial part of Weston-super-Mare since joining, helping them secure the Southern League Premier Division South title in 2023. He took on the role of player-coach before last season and has amassed nearly 600 career appearances.
Under manager Scott Rogers, Weston-super-Mare have enjoyed an extraordinary FA Cup run, eliminating Taunton Town, Poole Town, Needham Market, Aldershot Town, and Chelmsford City on their way to this historic third round.
The squad also features former Cheltenham goalkeeper Max Harris as their first-choice keeper and ex-Cheltenham academy prospect Will Dawes, both eager to help Weston-super-Mare cause another remarkable upset in this world’s oldest cup competition.