Nick Hill has been collecting trophies for fun over the past few years.

A title, two promotions and a couple of cups have all come his way as Tewkesbury Town Football Club have climbed the divisions.

And the 31-year-old is hoping there is more to come with his team riding high in Division One of the Northern Senior League.

Hill, a scaffolder who is Tewkesbury born and bred, is in his sixth season with his hometown club after spells with Bredon, Cheltenham Saracens and Bishop’s Cleeve.

It was at Bredon that the one-time Tewkesbury School pupil played his junior football and those years certainly stood him good stead.

It was always likely that the young Hill would play football because his dad Paul was a player back in the day.

Originally from Liverpool, Hill senior was a centre-half like his son and played for Tewkesbury when he moved to this part of the world.

“He comes and watches us play,” said Hill, who plays in the middle of a back three.

“We’re playing 3-5-2 this season, we’re creating a lot of chances and scoring a lot of goals.

“But I always say strikers win you games, defenders win you titles.”

Hill is enjoying playing in a back three alongside Jack Spark and Tony Hosking.

“They’re good players,” said Hill, “although the annoying thing is that we haven’t kept as many clean sheets as we’d have liked.

“We’ve conceded a few late goals, I’d rather win 3-0 than 6-1.”

Tewkesbury’s new management team of Harrison Ward, Neil Franklin and James Coates may not agree with him on that but they’re certainly pleased to have him in their team.

“We’ve brought in some good players,” continued Hill. “Lorca Sheehan has come from Worcester City and Jamie Goodwin joined from Cheltenham Saracens, he’s scored a lot of goals, he’s very good.”

The aforementioned Spark made the move from Roman St Glass and Hill has also been very impressed with one of the younger players who has made a big impact this season.

“Alex Roder has just turned 21, he’s come into his own this year,” said Hill. “He’s very clever, he picks up some clever positions and has an eye for goal.”

He certainly has because he scored twice as Tewkesbury overcame Tredworth Tigers in the final of the Reg Davis Memorial Cup earlier this season.

That was a bitter-sweet occasion for Hill because although he started, he was sent off early on with Tewkesbury trailing 1-0.

“Then we went 2-0 down and I thought, ‘What have I done?’,” he said.

“But we got a goal just before half-time and that changed the game. We felt we could do something special and 3-2 almost flattered them, it could have been five or six.”

So how did Hill feel after the game?

“I gave all the players a hug and bought quite a few of them a beer,” he said, adding with a laugh, “Mind you, I buy them quite a few beers!”

Hill has happier memories of the Cheltenham League Senior Charities Cup final against Andoversford at Whaddon Road a few seasons ago.

“Andoversford had won the league and I scored our goal to make it 2-2 and take it to penalties,” said Hill.

And a good goal it was too.

“It was from a throw-in,” said Hill, who also scored his side’s first goal. “The ball was flicked on to me, I took a couple of touches and hit it into the top corner with my left foot from 25 yards.”

He then slotted a penalty in his side’s successful shootout, so what would he say are his strengths as a player?

“Not my speed,” he said with a laugh. “But I bring a wealth of experience, I’m quite good with both feet and I read the game quite well. I enjoy it.”

He’s also very adaptable after playing in a 4-3-3 formation for many years.

“Everyone’s bought into it,” said the dad-of-two. “Everyone knows their roles, it’s been pretty solid.”

Tewkesbury’s supporters will be hoping their team are a solid bet for another title this season.