IF you’ve glanced out of the window at any point in 2026, you’ll know the forecast has been fairly consistent: wet, wetter, and “is this a joke?”
It’s now rained every single day so far in the UK, and while we’re all doing our best to keep spirits up, our grass pitches at Pomphrey Hill and Johnsons Road have officially had enough.
The ground is so waterlogged it’s less “football pitch” and more “mud spa with occasional goalposts.”
Still, if there’s one thing Downend Flyers are proving this season, it’s that you can’t rain on our parade — even if the rain is absolutely trying.
Despite the relentless drizzle (and the occasional downpour that feels personal), our Under 12s Kites have soared into the County Cup semi-final with a brilliant 1–0 win against Bristol Ladies Union.
It was a hard-fought battle from start to finish, with the young Flyers showing real determination and grit. The Kites held strong, battled through the conditions, and came away with a well-earned victory — a fantastic achievement and thoroughly deserved.
Away from competitive fixtures, Downend Flyers also hosted a special event with Bristol City Women’s Early Talent Centre, which gave young players an exciting opportunity to showcase their skills and play against some incredibly talented young and upcoming players.
The event was a huge success and marks the first of many as we continue to expand, develop, and build strong links for the future.
Of course, even with the wet weather trying its best to dampen everything (including socks, morale, and probably a few footballs), our Flyers teams have managed to get some football played. But we’re all desperate for more consistent match time — and the planning is already underway for a much brighter summer. At this point, we’ll take “partly cloudy” as a personal victory.
Speaking of summer, planning for our annual football tournament on June 27-28 is well underway — and it’s set to be bigger than ever.
Due to high demand, we’ll be expanding the age groups.
Registration is already open and applications are coming in fast – teams can sign up at tinyurl.com/4mrjjkmw.
Finally, one of our biggest announcements: Downend Flyers will have an Under 18s team next season.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our current Under 16 players to continue their football journey in the Bristol Girls League. If you’re currently aged 15–17 and interested in joining Downend Flyers for the 2026/27 season, please get in touch.
Steve Poole