April 11 – WHITECROFT, more famed for what it had than what it has, is on the verge of a soccer success story.
The village was once home to a classy male voice choir and a rampaging rugby team, both now long gone.
However the determination and skill of the village soccer team has taken then to the edge of promotion to Division One of the Northern Senior League.
"It would be highest level of football ever achieved in the 50 year history of the club," reflects secretary Roland Elsmore.
But he is careful not to count his chickens.
"Yes, we are in the driving seat but if our rivals keep winning then we have to as well. We will need four wins out of four to be absolutely sure," he said.
And it will not be easy.
Ruardean Hill at home this Saturday, Cam Bulldogs, away, on Thursday, Newent at home on Saturday and then Brimscombe, away, on the following Tuesday, adds up to a gruelling test of stamina and commitment to round off the season.
"It's a tough programme but we have been playing well after a couple of below par performances and at least we know exactly what we have to do," he said.
Leading scorers Matthew Timmins and Mark Lee will spearhead the final assault but Elsmore says success is down to all-round team effort.
"It would be unfair to single anyone out. Player manager Andrew Saunders has done a really good job and the only real change from last season has been the introduction of goalkeeper Craig Edwards who has joined from Ross," said Elsmore.
"We were rocky at the start of last season but Mike Stratford took over and we enjoyed a great end with 12 straight wins. We have simply carried on from where we left off as the team has matured into Senior League football," he said.
This season the team has won 17, drawn five and lost only twice.
"The team is mostly local boys, half a dozen from Whitecroft and the others from local villages. They know what they have to do to make it into Division One and that would be quite an achievement," said Elsmore.