Berkeley Town are rebuilding after a very tough few months.

The club, which were founded way back in 1898, suffered a huge setback in September when they withdrew their first team from the Northern Senior League due to a lack of players.

Chairman Mark Edwards readily admits that was an extremely difficult decision but five months on he is looking to the future with much greater optimism.

The reserves, who will be the club's first team in 2026/27, are fourth in Division 4(S) of the Stroud League, while the 3rds, who play in Division 5(S), are unbeaten in their last three league and cup games.

“We’re hoping the reserves can finish in the top three and win promotion,” said Edwards, who has been chairman for 11 seasons. “It could be that we go up if we finish fourth.”

That would represent a good turnaround for a club who have gone through a punishing period.

It began at the end of last season when they were fined £290 and docked four points by the Northern Senior League for fielding two ineligible players in two games, offences that the club admitted.

However, when the Northern Senior League decided to impose extra penalties – including a 10-point penalty ahead of the new Northern Senior League Division Two campaign – the impact was huge. Players left the club and Edwards said recruitment was impossible.

Berkeley successfully lodged an appeal with the Gloucestershire Football Association against the additional charges.

Berkeley Town Football Club mean a lot to Edwards and his family.

Edwards, who has just turned 54, is Berkeley born and bred and a former player at a club who have enjoyed three spells in the County League.

“I started with them as a teenager and I played for them until I was 40,” he said.

“It’s in the blood. My dad played for them and he was manager of the under-16s and his dad was a former player and chairman of the club.”

Edwards’ dad is Tony and his grandad was Howard, and they are not the only members of the Edwards family who do so much for the club.

Mark Edwards’ wife Fiona and mum Diane are on the committee although Edwards is keen to stress that there are plenty of other people outside the Edwards family who are helping to revive the club.

“We’ve got an excellent committee,” he said.

And those committee members are enjoying watching their teams play, including the relatively new ladies’ team who compete in Division Four of the County Women’s League.

“It’s their second season,” said Edwards, who also confirmed that the club were hoping to set up age group teams for under-9s and under-13s in 2026/27.