In the beginning....

Close to the end of 2004/2005 season Matthew Hodey was playing for the unsuccessful Swindon Sunday League side Nationwide Building Society FC and not enjoying himself. Matt yearned to return to his school days playing football with eleven mates, playing football the way he believed it should be played, mainly winning but above all else enjoying the Sunday morning game. The way it should be, the way it used to be.

So with the passion and belief of his sporting heroes and the natural enthusiasm he had in abundance he laid down the foundations for his new football team. Discreet e-mails were sent to friends, colleagues and old school pals.

We a few exceptions the club was to be comprised of former Dorcan School pupils.

Matt quickly enrolled the fledgling team in the Swindon Sunday League Division Eight for the 2005/2006 season. He was pleased and confident with his roster and laid out the team’s ambitions.

“…to challenge for the Division Eight title and embark on a long and exciting cup run whilst playing entertaining and attacking football with passing and movement uppermost in the team’s style, but above, we should have fun…”

Unfortunately the team did not live up to expectations and despite taking twelve points out of twelve off the early season title favourites Dorcan Old Boys inexplicable dropped points to the bottom two sides and failed against three middle of the table teams, all three defeats to these sides resulted in six goals conceded each time. A last game of the season defeat at home to Greenmeadow resulted in that side winning the title and DOB finishing a disappointing fourth. Frankly the team's cup run was very disappointing. Promotion was gained though.

A summer Dig Charity Six-A-Side Tournament win meant in the club's inaugural season Matt Hodey lived up to his promise of having a trophy behind the bar at The White Hart

The next season started with 'The Stags' starting off in Division Seven. Some players had gone with natural wastage and retirement, a new kit was on board and some better players had been brought in to strengthen the squad. Things looked good. A first game of the season 8-1 win meant that both seasons had started the same way. Eventually a slump near Christmas would cost the club dear. The cup once again was a non-event for the club and a last game of the season choker, losing at home to Stratton United, who the club had never beaten in two seasons, meant that fierce rivals Pinehurst Community took the title. The Divisional Runners-Up Trophy and medals only added insult to injury.

So 2007-08 beckons. It looks like The Stags will be starting in Division Six. The Gaffer now has a third season to capture a league title. All indicators point to this with early season signings targeted, players that will make a big difference too, the final pieces of the Hodey Army jigsaw look as if they may be slotting into place. Keep and eye open and watch this place....The Stags march on....