It’s said that a change is as good as a rest and that’s certainly proving to be the case for Smiths Athletic Football Club.

This season the club are playing their home games at Tewkesbury School for the first time after a good number of years at Dowty Staverton. Prior to that they’d played at the Newlands for years.

And whether it’s coincidence or not, there has certainly been a big upturn in their fortunes this season following their move because, after struggling in Northern Senior League Division Two last time out, they have enjoyed a much better campaign this time around.

When Oliver Babbage spoke to The Local Answer, the first team had pushed into the division’s top six on the back of a pretty impressive run of form.

And 25-year-old Babbage, who also serves on the club’s committee, is certainly enjoying life at the club’s new home.

“Yes, the move has definitely worked for us,” he said. “The facilities are very good there.”

And while the change of venue has clearly had a positive impact, there’s a lot more to the turnaround than where they play, of course.

“We’ve got a really good manager in Mark Jacobsen,” said Babbage. “He’s in his second season with us. He used to be manager of Star and got them into the Northern Senior League so he knows what he’s doing.”

And it’s not just football that Jacobsen knows a thing or two about, because he is also an LTA level 3 tennis coach.

But while in tennis it’s all about getting the ball over the net, in football it’s all about hitting the back of the net and the club have certainly got players who can do that.

“Louie Barnfather is our top goalscorer,” said Babbage. “He used to be a youth team goalkeeper at Cheltenham Town but we play him up front. He likes the limelight!”

And while Barnfather is getting the goals, left wing Stephen Zasikowski is king of their assists.

“He’s our Mr Cruyff,” chuckled Babbage. “Everyone says keep him on his left foot and push him to the touchline, but he still beats his man and gets in a cross.”

And there are others who Babbage, a central midfielder who first played for the club 10 or so years ago, is quick to point out have played a part in Smiths’ resurgence this season.

“Adam Powis joined the club at the start of the season and is a really good little player,” Babbage added. “He plays in centre midfield. He can play a bit but he can also put his foot in.

“Craig Holman is another good player. He plays in centre midfield just behind the striker, and then there’s James Wilkinson. He plays in the forward positions but we need to get him more involved. We tend to do well when he plays.”

Others name-checked by Babbage include Jack Driver, centre-half David Ramage, centre-back or centre midfielder Martyn Histed and goalkeeper Kenny Edward.

And good clubman that he is, Babbage is keen that kit sponsors RJW Group and Duraflex get a mention too.

Clearly it’s a big team effort – promotion to Division One of the Northern Senior League is the aim – but it’s not just the flagship team that are thriving.

“We’ve got a reserve team which play in Division Four of the Cheltenham League,” said Babbage. “They’ve got a new manager this season – John Overton – and they’re trying to get a settled side. We’re bringing in new faces and trying to create a good club ethos.”

Babbage knows the importance of a good reserve team because he served his time in the second string before establishing himself in the 1st XI.

“The reserves won the Division Three title in the Cheltenham League a few years ago and quite a few of us established ourselves in the first team,” said Babbage.

Some of those Babbage played alongside in that title-winning side included Histed, Ramage, Stuart Edwards, Andy Collins, Miles Baxter and Scott Partidge.

Babbage was a key component of that team – as he is in the first team now – so how would he describe himself as a midfielder?

“I’m more your foot in type,” he laughed. “I’m more crude than technical!”

It takes all sorts to make up a football team, of course, and as you’d expect from someone who is the nephew of one-time National Hunt racehorse trainer Norman Babbage, his play has come on in leaps and bounds since his early days at the club.

The quantity surveyor, who lives in Cheltenham, learned his football at Winchcombe School and it was one of the teachers there, Matt Haynes, who first got him playing at Smiths.

And it’s certainly something he’s never regretted.

The club are on the lookout for new players. If anyone is interested, contact Mark Jacobsen (1st team manager) on 07881 481121 or John Overton (2nd team manager) on 07731 771462.