Smiths A have been a fixture in the Cheltenham Skittles League for more than 75 years.

These days they play their home games at the King’s Head in Bishop’s Cleeve and over the years they have certainly been a force to be reckoned with.

They are still going strong in Division Two – the fourth tier of the seven-strong league – and they would love to add more trophies to what is an impressive collection. 

“Our successes include four Hospital Cup wins,” said team treasurer Alan McIlquham.

“We’ve been runners-up twice in the Premier Division and and have been Division One champions on two occasions.

“And individually, Dave Chandler has won the annual front pin competition.”

McIlquham has a big part of that success because he has been playing for Smiths for 48 years.

He’s actually been playing in the Cheltenham League for 51 years because he had three seasons with British Legion B Bishop’s Cleeve, who no longer exist.

He is Smiths A’s longest-serving player and he continued: “Over the years we’ve played at Smiths’ clubhouse, which is now home to Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club, and at the British Legion Bishop’s Cleeve.

“We had a super meal at the Gardeners Arms in Alderton to mark our 75th anniversary with past and present players last season.”

Only Swan A, who currently play in Division One, have been competing in the Cheltenham League for longer than Smiths A and McIlquham added: “We’ve used to play a charity match at Christmas for about 10 years against ladies’ team Aristocrats.

“We raised money for various charities including the Cotswold Listener, Winstone’s Wish and the special care baby unit at Cheltenham Hospital.”

Those matches were fun occasions but there have been some tough times over the past 75-plus years.

“We’ve had our ups and downs as you’d expect,” said McIlquham. “Lately we’ve struggled in the league but we seem to be turning a corner, we have a good membership signed on to play.”