Our Under 18s will make the short journey to Didcot this evening, Johno and the lads would really appreciate your support as they look to get a win and kick on, having not secured a win in three games.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Nicknamed The Railwaymen in tribute to the town’s Great Western Railway heritage, Didcot Town Football Club was founded in 1907 from the merger of Didcot Village FC and Northbourne Wanderers.
The club’s early years were spent in the North Berks Junior League, with their first silverware arriving in 1913. In 1923, Didcot settled at Station Road, their home for more than 75 years, before moving to Loop Meadow Stadium in 1999 – a ground that has since hosted some of the club’s greatest moments.
A founding member of the Hellenic League in 1953, Didcot won the championship at their first attempt. Further honours followed, but the 2004–05 season remains legendary: under Stuart Peace, they lifted the FA Vase at White Hart Lane, beating AFC Sudbury 3–2 in a thrilling final. The club went on to win the Hellenic League title in 2006, racking up a record points tally and earning promotion to the Southern League.
Didcot reached the Southern Premier Division in 2009 and enjoyed national exposure in the 2015–16 FA Cup, reaching the First Round Proper and hosting League Two Exeter City live on BT Sport. Most recently, the Railwaymen won promotion back to the Southern Premier in 2023 after a dramatic play-off campaign.
Now firmly established as one of Oxfordshire’s leading non-league clubs, Didcot Town combine proud tradition with ambition for the future, making them a dangerous opponent for any side.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Coming into this game, our youngsters are experiencing a tough spell at the minute and October saw them only register a point out of a possible six, along with disappointingly being narrowly dumped out of the Berks & Bucks FA County Cup by local rivals, Wokingham Town.
We have already faced Didcot Town this season and that result ended 4-1 to the Railwaymen, Johno’s side know that it will therefore be a tough test as they look to get back to winning ways.
Didcot come into this game full of confidence, having beaten fellow Oxfordshire side Clanfield 5-1 at home on Wednesday night and will once again have that home advantage this evening.
City however come into this game on the back of that narrow 2-1 defeat to our rivals, Wokingham Town on Thursday 23rd October. They’ve therefore had time to work things out on the training pitch and get some rest and are keen to get a win under their belts and push on up the league.
ADMISSION
Please note it’s cash only admission at Loop Meadow.
Adults: £4.00
Concessions / U16: £2.00
LOOP MEADOW STADIUM
Address: Loop Meadow Stadium, Bowmont Water, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7GA
GETTING HERE
By Car: From Reading, follow the A329 out of town. When you reach the roundabout, at the bottom of Kentwood Hill, Tilehurst take the 3rd exit to stay on the A329.
Keep following the A329 through a few roundabouts (approx. 6 miles). Turn left onto Wantage Rd (A417) and continue for about 5 miles.
Turn right onto Bessel’s Way (B4016) and stay on it for about 3 miles, at the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Broadway (B4016).
Continue straight onto Abingdon Rd (A4130) for about 1 mile.
From the A4130, take the exit onto Avon Way, and follow Avon Way for about 0.4 miles until you reach a roundabout.
At the roundabout, go straight ahead to stay on Avon Way → this becomes Bowmont Water.
After about 123 yards, take the first left.
Continue for about 133 yards, then take another left turn.
Your destination will be on the right-hand side.
By Rail: From Reading take Great Western Railway services bound for the likes of Bristol or Swansea, ensuring they are calling at Didcot Parkway. This journey will take roughly 11 minutes, with Didcot Parkway being the next station after embarking at Reading.
From the Didcot Parkway Railway Station, Loop Meadow is approximately half a mile away, which is only a 15 minute walk.
Turn left when coming out of the entrance at the station. At the first set of traffic lights, go left under Cow Lane bridge. Take the first left once out from under the bridge. Follow the path past the skate park. You will now be able to see the ground on your right. Go past the fenced-in football pitch and take the first path on the right. When you meet the road, the ground is on your right.
