Sholing 1 Gloucester City 1

Gloucester City manager Daf Williams was left with mixed emotions after his side’s 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Sholing on Saturday afternoon.

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The first half was a dominant one for City, but their lack of ability to break the deadlock left the game at half-time goalless, with a big 45 minutes ahead for both teams.

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Sholing came out of the second half positive, and in the 72nd minute, Sholing’s James Roberts put the hosts in front after a great ball from Jake McCarthy, which he squeezed past Jared Thompson.

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With Gloucester on the brink of their sixth away loss of the season, they needed saving, and Kieran Phillips was that man to do that, levelling the game in the 92nd minute to rescue a point for the Tigers.

“I thought we had a good first half," Williams said. "Defensive organisation was good. I thought it was a really good away performance in the first half because we hit the post and we had two or three other decent chances.

“Then we started the second half really poorly, and that fed into the majority of the second half until we changed things around. We got momentum in the game back a little bit, and credit to Kieran Phillips, it's a great finish for the equaliser.

“Our away form isn't particularly good at the moment. In fact, it's really, really poor. So, given how the momentum of the game shifted slightly in the second half, it might not be a bad point."

Despite only coming home with a point, Gloucester have gained a point on second-place Poole Town, who sit just one point ahead of the Tigers, who still have a game in hand, but Williams is making sure to focus on what they can control.

“I don't give a monkey's about anybody else. Ultimately, it's us. Control the controllables, and all we can control is how we train in the week, how we apply ourselves come a Saturday or a Tuesday or Wednesday for next week.

“I don't care about anybody else. I'm only focused on what we've got in that changing room. What we've got in that changing room is a good set of lads who are working hard.

“They want to do the right thing by the football club. We've just got to shift that little bit of fortune our way when it comes to away games because that has to improve.

Williams also confirmed that Harry Emmett will be out for the rest of the season with his injury, while they don’t know the severity of Ed Williams' injury yet.

Sholing: Norman, Rabbetts, Taylor, McCarthy, Mason (Tume 83), Hesketh (Riley-Snow 71), Targett, Roberts (Jones 83), Magri, Wylie, Folivi (Wishart 90).

Gloucester City: Thompson, Lewis, O’Regan, Wildig (Siddall 68), Phillips, Watts, Richards-Everton (Thomas 87), Day (Spence 68), Pinchard, Baidoo (Hanks 64), Mohammed.

Attendance: 594.

Referee: Joe Wright

An aviation company with orders worth £5billion is being wooed to come to Gloucestershire Airport.

The unnamed firm specializes in advanced engineering and manufacturing and already has 350 staff.

It is described as "taking transport in a new direction to elevate everyday journeys for everyone and with zero operating emissions."

It is now looking for space to create a 330,000 sq ft new site with a production and assembly space, hangar, office, showroom and training academy.

County bosses said expansion here would be "pivotal" for Gloucestershire, creating 200 high-value jobs and driving prosperity and skills development. It would also help further transform the airport from a "regional airfield into a regionally significant innovation centre".

Following an extensive assessment of 17 sites across Europe, the firm has shortlisted the Gloucestershire transport hub as one of three possible locations for the new site.

It is due to make a decision by the end of January and Tewkesbury Borough Council wants £500,000 from county bosses so it can sweeten and hopefully seal the deal.

The council has applied for a grant from the Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF)- a pool of money generated through the retention of Gloucestershire business rates and used to support projects that drive economic growth.

It will use the money to offer discretionary business rate relief to the company for 2027/28, as part of a package aimed at securing its commitment to Gloucestershire.

"This inward investment opportunity would be a catalyst for regional economic transformation, innovation, and workforce development," said its application.

"With a current order book valued at £5billion, the company is well-positioned for significant growth, making this investment a strategic priority." it added.

It said the company would bring sustainable high potential investment to the area, stimulating economic activity and ecosystem development, boosting local supply chains and increasing knowledge transfer from new technology development - resulting in enhanced competitiveness.

The investment would also enable "the development of a thriving business park that attracts high-tech companies and supports long-term regional growth".

The airport sits within the Tewkesbury boundary but is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.

Tewkesbury has been working with Gloucestershire County Council's Inward Investment Team to try and secure the opportunity.

It is also working with Horizon Group which is in the process of purchasing Gloucestershire Airport, a deal expected to be finalised any day now .

The deal includes two business parks as well as planning consent for an 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft) business space - which matches the size of space being sought out by the engineering firm.

Tewkesbury's SEDF application said the company will choose a preferred site this month and make a final board decision in March.

If planning is granted, a build process is anticipated to last 12 months, with site occupation from early 2027/28.

The City Region Board is due to make a decision on the bid when it meets on Friday (Jan 29).

Mark Owen, editor of Punchline-Gloucester.com says: "This could be an exciting opportunity for Gloucestershire Airport.

"We have often called it the jewel in the crown of the county, with many high-tech engineering businesses already situated on or near to it.

"The arrival of this firm would clearly enhance that and it would have much to gain from expanding its business to Gloucestershire.

"We have an educated and motivated workforce with easy access to the M4 and M5 corridors and the A417 which is coming on stream next year, alongside the Golden Valley cyber hub which is about to take shape.

"We hope the deal is done as it would provide a positive economic boost for the county and be a sign of confidence from council bosses about the future of the airport."

27th January 2026

26th January 2026

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26th January 2026

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Walton & Hersham 2 Gloucester City 0

Gloucester City manager Daf Williams expressed his frustration following Tuesday night’s 2–0 loss at Walton & Hersham, a result that saw the title gap widen to 13 points.

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The Swans came into the game 10 points ahead of City, for whom it was a must-win if they wanted a chance at automatic promotion.

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Knowing the outcome of the match and both teams looking to hold strong, it resulted in a cagey first half, which saw the game level at the break.

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The deadlock was quickly broken by Walton in just the 49th minute after a corner caused a scramble that fell to Rogalski’s feet, who fired the hosts in front to the elation of the home fans.

Despite the Tigers best efforts to equalise, the home side held onto their lead and even doubled it in the 97th minute to secure all three points and put them one step closer to the title.

“Frustrating; we showed a lot of naivety regarding the goal we conceded," Williams said.

"The first goal, we can't accept the manner in which we conceded it from the corner. And the most frustrating part is, I thought we were outstanding. I thought we were very, very good throughout the whole game.

“The goal changes things a little bit, and I thought the lads adapted to that change brilliantly. We get a clear penalty, not given for handball and sometimes you need those moments to go your way.

“You know, we missed a couple of chances then to equalise, and obviously the second goal has come from us sort of chucking the kitchen sink in it. So, we're disappointed. That's because we felt like we deserved a lot more from the game."

City midfielder Ed Williams was substituted in the 41st minute after picking up an injury, prompting concern from the City manager.

“It doesn't look good," he said. “It affected the game, but obviously Marcus comes in and does a job in there, and we'll obviously reassess the situation with Ed, and we'll see how bad it actually is.”

After the result, Williams was quick to thank the fans for their support and is confident that his side can push forward.

“They were class, outstanding, but we are just gutted that they haven't been able to take the points home that I think they deserved. But we can't feel sorry for ourselves.

“There's still a long way to go. We've got a clear objective in terms of what we want to do, and if we perform as we did for all of that game, bar one crazy moment, we'll give ourselves a very, very good chance of achieving those objectives.

“But we've got to dust ourselves down and go again Saturday.”

Walton & Hersham: Barker, Jones, Defise, Obeng, Rogalski, Powell, Wood (Bolton 91), Parkes (Horan 80), Nuur (Amartey 25), Kuaho, Fernandez.

Gloucester City: Thompson, Lewis, O’Regan, Williams (Day 41), Phillips, Spence (Baidoo 67), Watts, Hanks, Richards-Everton (Wildig 85), Pinchard, Mohammed.

Referee: Callum Parke.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened the University of Gloucestershire's new City Campus this Friday 16 January 2026.

During The Princess's visit to the site in the centre of Gloucester, she took time to meet university staff and students as she toured the building with Vice Chancellor Dame Clare Marchant DBE, taking in the new Gloucestershire Library, as well as learning spaces including the lecture theatre, art and wellbeing space, immersive room and classrooms.

She also chatted with Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton and former Debenhams employees, as they enjoyed tea and cake.

The Princess gave a short speech to the crowd gathered in the atrium – which included the Bishop of Gloucester, Right Reverend Rachel Treweek; Julie Kent MBE; Nick Gazzard OBE; former Gloucester Rugby player Ed Slater; Baroness Jacqui Smith; and Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre, as well as representatives from key project partners including Morgan Sindall and NHS Gloucestershire – where she praised the partnerships the university has built and encouraged everyone, no matter their age, to enjoy the new library.

She then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening and received flowers from former Debenhams employee, Edna Lee – who worked at the store for 64 years – before departing.

Dame Clare Marchant said: 'We’re thrilled that HRH The Princess Royal could join us to celebrate and mark such an important milestone both for the university and the wider community.

'We were proud to have an opportunity to show The Princess Royal how we’ve collaborated with a range of partners to sympathetically transform the former Debenhams building into a cutting-edge location that is bringing benefits to our students, staff and local people.

'It was fantastic to welcome so many people from organisations who have played, and will continue to play, such key roles in the development of City Campus and of course, meet former Debenhams and Bon Marche employees for whom the iconic location holds so many fond memories.'

The City Campus opened to students in August 2025 and is the new home of the Education, Psychology and Social Work programmes, as well as an Arts, Health and Wellbeing Centre and the new public library.

It has already won awards and delivered £44 million in social value, according to the University of Gloucestershire, with The Princess Royal's visit demonstrating the national significance of the project which, alongside The Forum, is helping to put Gloucester on the map.

Airport sale deadline set for end of month

The deadline for an airport's sale has been set for the end of the month, as council chiefs "prudently" consider a plan B.

Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, which jointly own the site, are in the process of selling the 375‑acre Gloucestershire Airport in Staverton to the Horizon Aero Group for more than £25m.

Council chiefs announced in July that the sale would be completed by autumn 2025.

Councillor Andrew Hearne, head of place at the city council, has now said that January 31 is the new deadline, and he is confident they will achieve it.

Council leaders said earlier this month they held a "very productive" meeting with Horizon Aero Group, which was set up in January 2025 to bid for the site.

"They updated us on their funding position and gave reassurance as to where they are seeking their funding from.

"I can't give details of where that funding is coming from, because that would be a breach of sensitive information, there are a number of different funders the buyer is engaging in," said Hearne.

Gloucestershire Airport includes two business parks and planning consent for an additional 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft) of business space.

While there is optimism that the deal will be completed, other options are being considered.

"We are prudently looking at alternative options, but that's not because we believe there is risk, but that it is sensible to do so," said Hearne.

"It would be irresponsible of us to not start looking at what a plan B might look like."

He said the buyers should inform them if they feel there is any risk to their funding position over the next two weeks.

"We and Cheltenham need to know about it on the day, rather than hearing about it on January 31, so that we can make a prudent decision," he said.