CREATING a third side has reaped rewards for a village team this season.
At the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign, Yarnton expanded after a few years of careful planning.
It paid off as the Oxfordshire outfit landed two league and cup doubles.
The first team finished eighth in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division, while league and cup doubles were completed by both the reserves and A team.
READ ALSO: Incredible season ends with Rugby World’s Team of the Year award
Yarnton chairman Joe Taylor explained the reasoning behind producing a third side.
He told this newspaper: “We’ve allowed time to do things the right way and we’ve really grown over the last two or three seasons.
“Last year, we had a number of players not playing but we had a lot of players showing interest.
“We’ve got decent training facilities, probably the best in the league.
“We recruit players who want to stay rather than playing just for one season.”
He added: “The most important thing was not to change how we do things at the club.
“We try and get the right people in, nobody with egos, and we want decent players but decent people too.
“We try to promote being a decent footballing side with decent people.
“What sums it up perfectly was that the A team went to Sherborne in Gloucestershire in torrential rain, but 50 of the players went over as well – everybody supports everybody.
“The cup finals have been supported by all the players, and their partners and friends.”
“I think most areas need adding to but whether it’s a starter or a squad player is probably different in each position.”
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) May 30, 2023
Liam Manning says #oufc need to sign players in most areas https://t.co/PtJQYMLO2b pic.twitter.com/PNdXpCKT3H
Looking ahead to next season, Taylor said: “It’s a real bounce to have two teams doing cup doubles, but there’s no reason why we can’t have more success.
“We had the taste for it this season and we want to really feel it again next season.
“We’ll have a week or two where we forget about football for a bit, but then we’ll get straight back into it.
“Players will likely move on to a higher level, which is a blow, but they’ve done well and deserve the chance to go higher.
“We’ll bring in players though and then pre-season will be about laying the foundations for the season ahead.”
Taylor also revealed the club is hoping to launch a women’s team next season – but only if the time is right.
He said: “I’m looking now and the next project is to get a ladies team up and running.
“I’d love it to be the season coming but we do things properly here and not half-heartedly.
“I’m hopeful though it’ll be ready this season coming.”
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About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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