It has been a fantastic season and with such a small squad. Already, preparations are now underway for a Stanley-Style attack on Senior One!
The exact date for the start of pre-season training will be confirmed very soon. (Late June or early July).
Also to be confirmed is the presentation night date and pre-season fixtures. Watch this space!

The seasons biggest crowd at Stanley Park saw two goals from Joe Yemm and a blistering strike from Bradley Brinkworth earned a 3 - 1 win at home to Viney St. Swithins and the points they needed to clinch the league Championship.
Leonard Stanley faced a resurgent Viney side knowing that a point would clinch the league title. However, from the first whistle they made their winning intentions clear. Stanley should have taken the lead in the early stages after some well worked chances from the hardworking Matt Fanstone and Jon Panton. Davis, Broadley and Hill Pemberton were winning the midfield battle and forced play in the Viney half. Set piece specialist Sargent finally carved Viney open with a fantastic corner, which Yemm finished well. Stanley were forced to replace the brave Roberts in the Stanley goal at half time which was a huge blow, but shortly after the restart Brinkworth’s cross was finished in devastating fashion again by Yemm. Stanley’s dominance eventually resulted in a third, when Brinkworth hit a tremendous volley into the top corner from 25 yards; much to the delight of the home supporters! Stanley looked understandably nervy in the final 10 minutes, but Phil Fanstone and Matthew Dickerson kept the defence solid. Stanley were reduced to ten men after Broadley’s protests after being struck in the face were too much for the referee, and this was followed by a late consolation for Viney. Stanley responded with a goal of their own after Bown’s free kick came back off of the cross-bar and was struck home by Yemm. Yemm celebrated his hat-trick but was cut short by the linesman, who did extremely well to notice an offside in the goal mouth scramble.
The final whistle eventually came and Stanley were crowned champions, an unbelievable feat with such a small squad of 13 players. A huge thank you to all of our supporters, the committee and the players who have worked so hard and selflessly for the cause!

Stanley continued their winning streak with an important victory over Bourton. With a further depleted squad, the visitors will be happy with their fourth victory in a row at a crucial stage of the season. Man in form Roger Merrett put the visitors ahead after he met an Andrew Sargent corner at the back post. A defensive mix up 15 minutes later resulted in Matthew Fanstone notching his 25th goal of the season. Stanley had numerous chances to extend their lead, and faced a nervy five minutes after a late consolation goal for the hosts.

It took a long time for a goal to come and when it did it was courtesy of an embarrassing blunder by the visiting goalkeeper. Jon Panton's 66th minute shot had little fire in it, but when Bourton's keeper tried to pick it up it rolled between his legs 'schoolboy style' and into the net.
This set Stanley up for a much better final twenty minutes and two further goals- cooly taken by Matt Fanstone sealed the game.
Stanley were without Mark Davis and had unfortunately lost Matt Dickerson to an injury sustained in mid week, but the defence looked comfortable with Joe Yemm back in place after a one match absence.

Stanley stunned Longford with a second half performance that produced four goals.
An uneventful first half saw both teams struggle to create clear goalscoring opportunities, Longford came closest with a strike that 'keeper Andrew Roberts did well to tip over the bar. A couple of midfield skirmishes threatened to get out of hand before being dealt with by Referee Mr. Rice - Stanley's Mark Davis seeing yellow.
Whatever was in the half-time tea fired Stanley into life, within two minutes of the restart they were ahead, Jon Panton making no mistake finishing off a fine sequence of football. Three minutes later it was two - Matt Fanstone squeezed in his 18th goal of the season following some defensive dithering.
As Stanley swept more and more into their opponents half Bradley Brinkworth found himself on the edge of the box, he had other options but chose to pick a spot and drove the ball into the lower corner of the net to make it three.
Dazed but not yet defeated Longford began to put a few attacks of their own together, again Roberts had to be equal to one or two clear strikes at goal. In their best period of the game they did produced a goal, but a comeback was not be.
David Iles, Rog Merrett and Tom Pass were gradually introduced to replace tiring legs and as the final minutes ticked away another Stanley sweep forward saw skipper Phil Fanstone head a stunning goal from way out on the edge of the box.
This solid Stanley performance will set them up nicely for the next match when the league leaders visit Stanley Park.

WALKER HITS FOUR
Stanley veteren Dave 'Des' Walker now starring in the reserves, rolled back the years when he hit four goals at North Nibley in a 6 - 1 win. Jason Luff and Wayne Luff were the other two scorers.

Leonard Stanley tasted defeat for the first time in this fixture. The game started very brightly, with Stanley having several good chances to finish the visitors off. Hatherley did particularly well in the opening minutes to keep out a goalmouth scramble, which was eventually cleared. Ten minutes before half time the visitors shocked the hosts with a well worked goal after a superb run and through ball form the Hatherley number 10. In the second half Stanley were punished further after two rare defensive errors. Firstly, Fanstone was pick-pocketed by the Hatherley winger, which led to a second Hatherley goal, before Andrew Roberts brought down the centre forward after being left over exposed.
Leonard Stanley should take credit for not giving it up and made a real game of it. Panton headed one back after a great ball from Joey Yemm. Matt Fanstone hit the post and Brinkworth saw his one on one excellently saved.
A good wake up call for the lads, before a crucial fixture next week. The boys will respond positively. News that the top three all lost their fixtures shows how difficult each game is going to be for the teams at the top. Credit to the lower teams for raising their game. Now we have to!

Stanley came away from Lydney with 3 valuable points from this fixture and must look upon it as a job done. Although the final ball let them down in the first half, the midfield looked dominant and worked the hosts hard.
Stanley pressured hard in the opening 10 minutes and won a series of corners, the fourth of which evaded everyone to drop into the Tidenham net; a trademark Andy Sargent in-swinger.
Stanley dominated the first half and should really have gone 3 or 4 up, but Tidenham deserve credit for not throwing in the towel. Leonard had to wait until midway through the second half for their second; a classy volley from Matty Fanstone, which found its way in off of the bar.
Although it would be easy to pick at faults, Stanley deserve great credit for doing the job in difficult conditions and also preventing the hosts from having a single shot on target. A 9th clean sheet in 15 for the lads.
Stanley will now have to raise their game again as they welcome the improving Hatherley Rangers next week.

Leonard Stanley were disappointed only to take a point from this game but have to look at the positives. Captain Phil Fanstone was out due to illness, whilst Joey Yemm was on holiday. This meant that all 3 defensive positions were forced to change as well as Matthew Dickerson moving to the right and Roger Merrett coming into the midfield.
Although chances were scarce, Stanley looked shaky in the first 20 minutes, but gradually found their feet. Stanley unusually did not create many chances, and either side could have grabbed a winner. Harrow Hill made 2 goal line clearances from Matt Fanstone and Wayne Bown in the closing stages, while at the other end, Roberts made an excellent stop to keep another clean sheet.
With news that Smiths fell to Chalford, the league seems a lot tougher and Stanley still remain top, with a lot to play for.
Roger Merrett had an excellent game in midfield, whilst Andrew Roberts kept his eighth clean sheet of the season.

Stanley knew that this would be a tough game and that’s exactly what it turned out to be. Chalford, who are steadily re-building a new side came out fighting, but were totally outplayed in the first 20 minutes. Stanley’s passing was slick and incisive, but they failed to take their chances. They were punished when Brimscombe’s County league record goalscorer, John Dalton beat the defensive line to tuck away.
Stanley did not panic however and their play earned them an equaliser after 35 minutes, with a great effort from range by Mark Davis.
Chalford gave Stanley a scare early in the second half but found Andrew Roberts in top form in the Stanley goal.
Stanley rallied and after a complete change in the midfield, great work from Panton and Harkins resulted in a belter of a volley from Brinkworth to take a vital 3 points that were just about deserved.

If the spectators were expecting fireworks from this fixture then they were left a little disappointed. A miserable day in the forest was made worthwhile however with Stanley taking another three valuable points. The game was killed off after 20 minutes after Stanley were awarded two early penalties; Matt Fanstone’s legs being swept away and Brinkworth’s tame shot being handled. Bown netted both spotkicks. Mitcheldean had no arguments with either decision and to their credit kept the pressure on. Any chance of a close affair was distinguished when Fanstone ran clear and finished via the post. The second half was a scrappy affair and Fanstone’s reactions were too quick for Mitcheldean as he latched on to a cleared corner to run through and finish well. Best wishes go to Mark Davis who was taken to hospital for a nasty cut above the eye.