Bernard added:"... I had an email from the Review as I had sent the picture to them ... a lady rang to tell them it was Valley Rovers of Cinderford ..."

Back Row: Bill Stephens, G Cook (treasurer), T Howells, Percy Davies (president), Les Baggs, L Allchurch, G Gazzard,
Middle Row: (all standing) 1 Stan Beddis (assistant secretary), Doug Jenkins, William Albert (Alb) Annis, George Edwards, Cliff Watkins, Alf Wayman, Eric Knight, E Rees.
Front Row (all sitting): Clarry Boyles, Cyril Davies, Bill Carpenter, Vernon Jordan (captain), Ralph Grindle, C Phelps, Trevor Phelps.

Does anyone recognise the trophies?.

Jeff Jones added: "... Sorry, cannot offer any names, if you have an approximate date it would help (30s?). I think this photo was taken in front of the recently demolished Bridge Inn at the Ruspidge end of Valley Road. If so I wonder if they played at the rugby pitch opposite the Inn and up towards the Dilke, or perhaps more likely on Lister's field (as one of your photos of Lydbrook AFC c1948 suggests ?)".

A site visitor who wishes to remain anonymous added: "... Re; Cinderford Valley Rovers Football Team The team played on the Lister's Ground and I think the photo was probably taken outside of the Railway Public House (opposite the then Railway Station). I would hazard a guess that the photo was taken around 1950".

The cutting is a report of a J. O. Roberts cup final win for Valley Rovers in 1950.

John Hodges added: "... The public house is the Railway Inn ,Station Street Cinderford. The well dressed figure at the centre back is Percy Davies who later had the former Boud's sweetshop in the Triangle. Valley Rovers played on a pitch at the bottom of the wood in Bilson-near to what we called the Dam which was where the Cinderford Brook went under the Railway line. The team changed at the Globe and the walked through what is now Denecroft and through the wood to play. There was always a match on Xmas day and as a child I would watch the players walking to the ground from our house in Bilson",

A 1950 newspaper article (The Citizen of 16th November) reports Valley Rovers disbanding due to "lack of interest and financial difficulties".

The Forest Review of 25 September 2015 printed some of the names and the following: "... the team was formed just after the second world war and played its games on the field at Lister's (R. A. Lister) at Valley Road. Many of those asscoiated with the team worked at the Eastern and later Northern United collieries. The team won several cups and were North Gloucestershire League champions too".

Above: "The Railway Inn" in May 2014.

Thanks also to Mark Wood, Graham Murphy and Dave Nash.

 

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