DANNY’S ROBINS
FROME TOWN narrowly avoided losing their home Badgers Hill last year but have since transformed the stadium into a thriving multipurpose community asset – and it has paved the way for boss Danny Greaves to plot the club’s upward trajectory
After numerous flirtations with promotion in recent years, the Robins missed out on the Southrn Division One South playoffs last season.
However, this season has seen a resurgence, with the team ssecond in the table, just one point behind leaders Wimborne Town with two games in hand, ahead of the weekend.
Greaves said: “We had a load of horrific injuries and quite a big player turnover and missed the playoffs last season.
“Halfway through last year we decided to start to build for this season, and from December onwards, we were letting players go and bringing new players in.
“In the summer we made new additions to the squad, giving lads the opportunity to play at this level for the first time and we’ve made a really great start.”
Greaves attributes their success to their high-tempo pressing game that unsettles opponents. He said: “We play fast, aggressive football, and try to get the ball to our exceptional attacking players to score.
Defensively, our highpressure tactics force errors, and we have one of the league’s best defensive records.”
Impressive
Frome have had impressive runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy this season and Greaves reckons it has captured the local imagination.
He said: “Our FA Cup journey ended in the 1st qualifying round against Ramsgate, while in the FA Trophy, we reached the 3rd round proper, losing to Torquay in front of 1,800 fans.
“We were the last team in our league left in both competitions, and provided much-needed revenue and thrilling experiences for our supporters.”
Last week the club were also part of the Non-League Award at the annual Football Supporters’ Association awards, won by Frome Town Council for their work to help save their community asset home.
Buoyed by a thriving youth and ladies section, robust community support, and an ambitious vision, Greaves believes they have the ingredients for success.
“We’re aiming for Step 3 in the short-term and envision challenging at Step 2 within three to five years,” he said. “Our ambitions align with the town and club’s size. We’re an ambitious club with an ambitious board, the community are behind us and I think we have one of the best supported teams in the league. We have the quality of player and squad to compete at that level.”
But they’re also operating a well-run ship.
“Past financial struggles led to intervention from the council,” Greaves addded. “The current board prioritises sustainability, making tough choices for the club’s future. Sponsorships and strong gate attendance sustain us and we don’t rely on a major backer.”