Derby Day

In bucolic West Wiltshire, there is a fierce rivalry that dare not speak its name. A mere 3 miles separates two proud, and fiercely independent towns. The rivalry is between the two towns of Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon. As cover previously in this blog, Bradford was a town based on wool, and in its preindustrial heyday was an important centre for wool in the South West, while the towns industry has declined, it has been left with some gems, including a fine Tithe Barn, one of only three bridges left in the country with a chapel on the bridge, and the finest Saxon church in England.

Trowbridge, on the other hand, has suffered much more harshly at the hands of history. Like Bradford, the town sits on the Kennet and Avon canal, although unlike Bradford it is not the Avon which flows through the town, rather the Biss.


The town of Trowbridge is every bit as ancient as its near neighbour, with evidence of settlement over 3,000 years ago, and like Bradford, Trowbridge is mentioned in the Doomsday book.

Trowbridge, like Bradford made its money from the wool trade, but was much larger, and more prosperous than Bradford. There are relics of the old wool mills dotted around the town, and apparently in the scale of wool production in the early 1820s earned Trowbridge the title “The Manchester of the West”.


The inevitable decline of the wool industry, closed much of the industry within the town, but Trowbridge still had many things to be proud of, there was the Bowyers factory, founded in 1805 and disgracefully closed in 2008. Even worse though, was the fate of the Ushers (spelt officially without the ‘s “ brewery. The brewery still has impacts all across the West Country, you can be walking as far away as Land’s End and still see the ceramic badge picking out “Ushers of Trowbridge” on many a pub. As was sadly the case during the period 1960-2000 Ushers was involved in many brewing mergers, and despite the fact the company was still profitable, the brewery was closed in 2000 and the equipment sold to North Korea.


You would think that would be enough destruction for one small town, but Trowbridge Town FC also got royally screwed. Founded in 1880, they played in a variety of local leagues (Wiltshire up to Western usual) but got promoted to the Southern League, they then amazingly got promoted to the Conference in 1981 and stayed there for 3 years. However, there Frome Road ground was in a prime location, and investors were circling, with assurances from the council that they would find them a new ground, Trowbridge sold Frome Road and moved out (briefly playing at Twerton Park). This was the beginning of the end, and quickly debts mounted and the original Trowbridge folded in 1998.

Having received all these body blows, Trowbridge is a slightly depressing place, as it lacks in any civic pride, and seems to drift along without a purpose now it has been shorn of all its identity. Nevertheless, there must have been a spark of pride in some that refused to be put out, and they reformed Trowbridge Town FC who now ply their trade in the Wiltshire League (as in 1880).

Bradford meanwhile are flying this season, they currently sit atop the Western League Division 1, and are scoring for fun. Star forward Sam Jordan has almost 50 goals (by November!) and was approached by both Paulton and Bath City, but chose to stay with his hometown team, for reasons known only to himself, but subject to much speculation and gossip.


We alighted at Trowbridge at 12:30, for my first trip to Trowbridge in easily a year; we headed straight to the Rose & Crown opposite the station, and entered to find it full of Bradfordians, top stuff. We sunk a few, before getting a taxi to the Woodmarsh ground for the 2pm kick off (dictated by the lack of floodlights).


Given the disparity in current form and league positions, this Wiltshire Senior Cup clash, always looked like it would be a tall ask for Trowbridge, however, they actually had two golden opportunities at nil nil to take the lead. Sadly for the Tigers, both of the chances were snatched at and the shots sailed wide and over respectively.


Soon after the second chance Bradford scored, and the floodgates threatened to open, as with each attack Bradford came close. A penalty for a blatant trip was then awarded, and duly dispatch. Two more flew in and at half time it was 0-4 Bradford.


The Woodmarsh, is located on the edge Trowbridge, towards the village of North Bradley, so at the half time whistle we wandered to the Mash Tun pub, which is a weird one to be honest, as it appears to be a circa 1970 Barretts home, that has been converted to a pub. It was actually, a quite nice, friendly pub, so fair play to them, but definitely a weird exterior.


In the second half, Bradford eased off completely, but we had our fun, as out of nowhere a smoke bomb was produced, which promptly failed to light! This led to the brandisher of the flare looking like a smurf, as the blue powder came out of the tube. A second smoke bomb was pulled out of Papa Smurfs pocket, and this one did light, leading to the slightly surreal scenes of blue smoke billowing out of the stand, under and leaden grey sky, at a Wiltshire Senior Cup tie!

Bradfordian Sam Jordan came off of the bench, and scored a beautifully deft flick, knocking the ball into the net from behind his leg, in a goal which if scored by a Zola/Henry etc., would be replayed for years. 5-0 and that was how the game finished.



We returned to Trowbridge town centre for a few beers, glowing with the contentment that can only come from Bradford beating Trowbridge. All in all, a good day out, and hopefully Trowbridge Town can begin to rebuild, get the ground they deserve and start to build towards a more positive future, who knows in a decade maybe the stripes will once again be playing Trowbridge Town FC.