Through the various guises of Oldland, Oldland Decora and finally Oldland Abbotonians the Reserves have maintained a respectability in the Bristol Premier Combination for many years without pressing for promotion. Managers such as Dave Branch, Gary Caddick, Keith 'Turkey' Turner, John Haberfield, Bob Clarke, Malcolm Beck and Andy Weeks have left their mark in various ways over the years. The team was until September 2020 managed by Tom Hutton and Steve Bristow but is now looked after by Steve Cains assisted by Craig Durnell.

Players such as Alan Foggie, Piner, Little Joe, Alan Arkwell, Ian Hyett, Stitcher, Skettie, Chris Thompson, Paul Bray, Ian 'Doris' Hardwell even Corbie got a couple of games. You know, the guys who actually turn up and reminisce at the reunions as though they could play! The Reserves have more often than not been the social hub of the club.

The task has always been hard, even when we ran four teams the constant battle between being judged on results and whether you were good enough for first team players to drop down into and allowing room for developing youth team players to come through has been hard to do. Some have, with the right attitude gone on to be successful, others have fallen by the wayside.

A few words from our current under 18’s & men’s reserve team manager Dave Griffin; "We are now well into our pre-season, and the effort/commitment shown from our new group players within both U18’s as well as our new reserves set up has been commendable. Having managed the U18’s last 2 season’s & previously our 3rd’s, I have now accepted the challenge of running our reserves from the start of this campaign & have been more than happy
with the levels and commitment of both sides. My main focus this year is to integrate the current crop of U18’s & form a blend of both young as well as slightly more experienced players within our reserves & with at least 7 under 18 players featuring in our 3rds each game last season and making positions their own and now look forward to seeing stepping up at the next level. I would consider the integration so far being a success.

Any player, any age, interested in featuring for the senior sides please do contact the club via this website