From the archive, first published Friday 12th Mar 2004

Uley Reserves 6 Arlingham 0

A flattering but deserved scoreline marked one of the Stroud League's greatest achievements - Diddy Williams' brace of goals brought up his 600th strike for Uley Football Club. Whilst Uley dominated the first half, they found it difficult to make their possession count. As the Uley frustration grew, Baz Hughes typically won a 50:50 ball in midfield and played through James Stennett who cracked an unstoppable (apparently mis-hit!) shot into the top left corner. Although Uley went in only 1-0 up at half time, their midfield dominance was to tell. A James Stennett cross teed up Williams for his first - a diving header - and quite an athletic effort for a 46-year old! Substitute Rich Kemp then finished a move he started on the edge of his own box with a carefully placed shot past the Arlingham keeper.

It was all Uley now as Williams rose at the near post to head in Danny Walton's right wing corner for his 600th league goal - a total unequalled by any player in Stroud League history and one which is unlikely ever to be bettered. After good interplay with the evergreen Williams, Dez Hughes placed a pinpoint cross for Luke Gradwell to head home from five yards. The best was still to come as Gradwell split the visiting defence, Baz Hughes delicately tapped a trademark inch-perfect back-heel to Kemp who slammed the ball home from fully 25 yards.

This comfortable 6-0 win saw Uley maintain their seven match unbeaten home record due to their mix of youth and experience. Eighteen year-old Adie Powell again excelled in central defence.

Special awards for Uley golden boys

First published on Friday 28 May 2004:

Uley Football Club held their presentation night at Cattle Country, in Berkeley, last week. A plethora of awards were presented to the club's players, managers, coaches and staff, although the night was reserved in many ways for two of the club's greatest ever stalwarts. Diddy Williams and Wayne Fisher are two of the highest goalscorers in the history of the Stroud League, and the presentation night saw a special tribute lined up for the duo. Unique club awards were presented on the night to Williams, who this season broke the 600 goal barrier for Uley, and Fisher, who himself has now netted 400 times. Jeremy 'Diddy' Williams is known throughout local football by the one nickname. 'Diddy' is a renowned Stroud League striker, who has been finding the back of the net for Uley for over twenty years now. Club chairman Mike Clarke paid tribute to the diminutive striker, and said: "Diddy could have played for any club in the area, but his loyalty has never been in question. "It is not a coincidence that success for Uley in league and cup was during his heyday as a top striker for the first team. The vast majority of his goals were scored in Division One of the Stroud League." Williams was also awarded the Chairman's Cup for his outstanding contribution to the football club. Clarke said of Fisher: "Wayne has always been a committed player for the club. "His enthusiasm for the game is still strong and he has been justly rewarded with his total of 400 goals. "In an era when club loyalty is no longer a first consideration, Uley Football Club cannot speak too highly of these two players who have shown their loyalty to the football club over many years. "They are also both heavily involved in raising money for the new pavilion at Shadwell." Clarke began proceedings on the night by thanking Cattle Country as the hosts and Gareth Jones for organising the event. Secretary Nick Clarke, treasurer Gareth Jones and fixture secretary Simon Cross, who had conducted the club's daily business in an efficient manner, were then applauded. Thanks were also expressed to Hazel Spencer for her fund-raising and Dave Hill for field maintenance and training. The managers of the three teams and their assistants were then praised for their unselfish work during the season. Wayne Fisher and Jeremy Williams, who are working tirelessly to raise the money needed for the new pavilion, were also thanked as was Mrs Eileen Fisher, who washed the kit for all the teams throughout the season. Finally, the Chairman thanked Dursley Community Centre and Paul Clune for their sponsorship during the season.