⚽ Wanderers Weekly: The Season Proper Kicks Off 🦁
Boots laced, badges polished and the summer’s dust well and truly shaken off — this is the week Belmont steps out of pre-season and into the real thing. The Men’s First Team have carried their friendly form into competitive football with a 5-1 win over Hereford Pegasus, our U9 Lions battled the heat to keep their unbeaten momentum rolling, and there are more new names filling the changing rooms than we can count on two hands. With a full card of six fixtures this weekend and the sun promising to make an appearance, there’s never been a better time to grab a programme and get down to the pitch. Let’s dive in.
🧬 The Club DNA Report 🧬
Belmont Wanderers has never been defined by a single result. We are a club built on the way we play, the way we carry ourselves and the way we lift one another — from the smallest Blazer to the sharpest striker in the Men’s First Team. This week, that identity shone through in glorious colour.
Our Attacking Prowess was the standout pillar, and the numbers tell the tale: fifteen goals across the week, three separate five-goal hauls and a hat-trick to savour. When three of our teams are putting five past the opposition, you know the philosophy of moving the ball, staying wide and creating space is bearing fruit. That’s not luck — that’s a footballing culture doing exactly what it’s meant to.
Defensively there’s plenty to admire too, with a clean sheet among the returns and only a handful conceded across the board — solid foundations we’ll keep building on as the games get tighter. Our Club Values and Player Development pillars were quietly brilliant: a Good Sport Award, a Captain’s Armband, three Players of the Match and two Playmaker awards show a club growing character as fast as it grows talent. Keep playing the Belmont way, and there’s no ceiling on where this season takes us.
⛈️ Weekend Weather Watch ⛈️
- Saturday: A spot of drizzle, highs of 20.5°C and lows of 10.1°C — pack a jacket, but nothing to spoil the football.
- Sunday: Mainly clear skies, highs of 21.2°C and lows of 10.2°C — proper afternoon for a game.
⚽ This Weekend’s Action ⚽
A packed slate across Saturday and Sunday:
- Belmont Wanderers Men’s First Team vs Hinton First — 14:30
- Belmont Wanderers Reserves vs Littlejohn Reserves — 14:30
- Belmont U14 Boys vs Toros FC – U14 — 12:00
- Belmont Bullets U14 Girls vs City of Gloucester Meteors — 10:30
- Belmont Cannons vs Hereford Pegasus Youth — 14:30
- Belmont Hammers vs Ledbury FC Youth — 14:00
💡 Team Spotlight
This week the spotlight falls on our Belmont Wanderers Hawks U12, marshalled by coach Andrew Goodman! Give it up for the squad: CW, AF, KP, TH, AB, BG, BM, DL, HG and IC. Wear that badge with pride, Hawks — the whole club’s behind you.
A Big Belmont Welcome
What a week for new faces! A huge Belmont welcome to everyone who’s joined the family:
- AC (U7 Belmont Blazers Boys)
- TW (U7 Belmont Blazers Boys)
- MC (U9 Belmont Bells Girls)
- AP (U9 Belmont Bells Girls)
- BD (Belmont Juniors)
- LF (Belmont Wanderers U15)
- AW (Belmont Wanderers U15)
- MM (Belmont Bullets U14 Girls)
And a whole new-look squad through the door at the Men’s First Team: Jamie Cuthburtson, Ollie Price, Travis Thompson, Oakley Taylor, Lewis Skyrme, Levi Ellis, Kiea Cowley, Jimmy Griffiths, Jamie Bell, James Hancocks, Jake Diston, George Andrews, Ethan Saunders, Dom Lancett, Davyd Antoniuk, Cameron Godsall, Ashley Francis, Andy Abbott, Alex Lancett and Alex Cotterrell.
We’re thrilled to have every one of you with us. 🖤
📸 From the Sidelines This Week 📸
🏆 The Weekly Roll of Honour 🏆
A brilliant spread of achievements from across the club this week:
- Mihai Antoniu (Belmont U10 Flames) — Good Sport Award
- CO (Belmont U10 Flames) — Playmaker
- JG (Belmont U10 Flames) — First Goal
- OS (Belmont U10 Flames) — Player of the Match
- ZR (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — First Assist
- DP (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — 10 Goals
- Kiea Cowley (Belmont Wanderers Men’s First Team) — Hat-trick Hero
- HF (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — Player of the Match
- NA (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — Captain’s Armband
- ZR (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — Playmaker
- HF (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — Tackle Titan
- DP (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — Player of the Match
🌟 Player of the Month (July): A huge congratulations to LN (Belmont Bullets U14 Girls) — a thoroughly deserved honour!
🎂 Birthday Corner: Many happy returns this week to CH, MA, Harry Skerratt and DM — hope your day’s a cracker!
✨ Last Week’s Highlights ✨
Belmont U10 Flames 5-3 Toros FC – U10 Santos
Player of the Match: OS
The Wanderer’s Take: Seven weeks between games and the Flames didn’t miss a beat, seeing off familiar rivals with a five-goal display capped by a hat-trick and a debut goal off the left boot. Wide play, tireless defending and a cool head to close it out — a proper team win in the summer sun.
Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions 5-1 Highnam U9
Player of the Match: DP
The Wanderer’s Take: Two strong sides, one sweltering morning, and the Lions came out roaring with quality from front to back to keep Highnam pinned on the counter. With DP hitting double figures for the season, this squad’s momentum shows no sign of cooling.
Belmont Wanderers Men’s First Team 5-1 Hereford Pegasus
The Wanderer’s Take: A hard-earned five against a lively young Pegasus outfit — proof that the pre-season goals were no fluke and the appetite is real. With Kiea Cowley grabbing a hat-trick, the First Team head into the season proper full of belief.
⭐ Standout of the Week ⭐
Step forward DP (Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions) — two awards and a mighty +65 points this week, including reaching double figures for goals. A wonderful week’s work, and richly deserved recognition. Take a bow! 👏
📈 The Belmont Leaderboard 📈
Top 5 Players
- TP — 1,135 pts
- LF — 1,028 pts
- NA — 850 pts
- AC — 473 pts
- MO — 453 pts
Top 3 Teams
- Belmont Wanderers U9 Lions — 4,554 pts
- Belmont U14 Boys — 2,312 pts
- Belmont Bullets U14 Girls — 1,706 pts
📈 Card of the Week 📈
A big shout for JC, who climbed a superb +9 this week to an Overall Rating of 63 — the biggest riser anywhere in the club. That’s what turning up and putting in the work looks like!
🎮 Your Player Card & App 🎮
Every Belmont player now has their very own collectible football card, with an Overall Rating that climbs all season long. Goals, assists, clean sheets, simply turning up and picking up awards all count — and it resets each summer, so everyone starts fresh. Log in to see your card, tick off your weekly challenges and give it your own personal touch.
This week’s challenges to chase for bonus points:
- ⚡ On a Roll: Earn 8 points this week
- 🚀 Double Up: Earn 20 points this week
Collect your team’s full set of squad cards and earn team badges together at https://belmontwanderersfc.co.uk/team-badges. See every squad’s cards at https://belmontwanderersfc.co.uk/player-cards and the club-wide leaderboard at https://belmontwanderersfc.co.uk/hall-of-fame. Add the portal to your phone’s home screen and switch on notifications, so you never miss a fixture, an availability request, or your card levelling up.
🧑🏫 Coach’s Corner 🧑🏫
Looking for fresh inspiration on the training ground? The latest addition to the Training Wall is ‘Under 15/16 – Passing & Receiving’ by Danielle Houghton — available now in the Coach Dashboard. Well worth a look before your next session!
🗓️ Team of the Month 🗓️
Congratulations to our Team of the Month for July! Lining up in a bold 3-4-3, this month’s stars are: LP, OB, FR, NE, SC, LN, RH, KG, EF and AM. Superb effort, all — take a bow!
🛍️ Club Shop Corner 🛍️
🛍️ Shop Spotlight: Wrap up in style with the Children’s 1/4 Zip Pullover — perfect for chilly touchlines and showing your Belmont colours.
❤️ Our Amazing Sponsors ❤️
None of this happens without the wonderful local businesses behind us. A heartfelt thank you to:
Wetherseal
Official sponsor of Belmont U10 Flames
Leominster Pet Centre
Official sponsor of Belmont Wanderers Hawks u12
IllumiNight
Official sponsor of Belmont Wanderers Sharks
🔍 Pre-Match Previews 🔍
Belmont Wanderers Men’s First Team vs Hinton First — Sat 22nd Aug, 14:30
Three wins, seventeen goals scored and just one conceded — the First Team arrive in fearsome form. Hinton will fancy their chances of testing that near-airtight backline, but on this evidence the lads are ready. Get down early; this one’s got the makings of a statement afternoon.
Belmont Wanderers Reserves vs Littlejohn Reserves — Sat 22nd Aug, 14:30
The Reserves open their account at home against Littlejohn, and there’s no better feeling than three points in front of your own supporters. A fresh season, a fresh chance to lay down a marker — come and cheer them on.
Belmont U14 Boys vs Toros FC – U14 — Sun 23rd Aug, 12:00
Ten goals scored across their recent run shows this side love to attack, and they’ll need that edge against a familiar Toros outfit. A win here nudges them nicely up the table — expect an open, entertaining midday clash.
Belmont Bullets U14 Girls vs City of Gloucester Meteors — Sun 23rd Aug, 10:30
The Bullets are finding their rhythm and have goals in the tank, so this is a fine chance to turn promising performances into points. Meteors won’t make it easy, but a bright Sunday morning and home support could be just the tonic. Come and roar them on!
Belmont Cannons vs Hereford Pegasus Youth — Sun 23rd Aug, 14:30
Solid and well-balanced, the Cannons come off a hard-fought draw and will be hungry to go one better at home. It’s tight and competitive as ever against Pegasus Youth — a real chance to grab the initiative early in the campaign.
Belmont Hammers vs Ledbury FC Youth — Sun 23rd Aug, 14:00
The Hammers are itching to get a full 90 under their belts after recent frustrations and will relish the visit of Ledbury. With eight goals in them already, there’s plenty to be excited about — back them all the way from the touchline.
As an individual we are strong, as a team we are brilliant, as club we are unstoppable — we are Belmont Wanderers FC.
Yours in football,
Chris, Chairman 🖤⚽