OPPOSITION FOCUS | Weston-Super-Mare (A)

Written by Patrick Dodge

Key Info:

Founded: 1887 (latest iteration of the club formed in 1948)

Nickname: The Seagulls

Manager: Scott Rogers

Stadium: Optima Stadium

Capacity: Approx. 3,500 

Weston-Super-Mare A.F.C. trace their origins back to 1887, making them one of the older football clubs in the Southwest of England, although they were formally re-established in 1948 after being disbanded twice prior due to the World Wars.

The Seagulls have spent much of their history in the sixth tier of English football, a level they first reached in the mid-2000s. Promotion back to the National League South came via winning the Southern League Premier Division South title in 2022/23.

Weston held an impressive claim to fame in that they had never been relegated; this 132-year record came to an end as they were relegated in the 2018/19 season.

After finishing just outside of the play-offs last season, the aim will be to achieve play-offs or better this season, with the club currently sitting in the playoff places on 48 points (the same as Hemel).

The club have very recently made history this season by reaching the FA Cup Third Round for the first time, earning a tie away at against League 2 opposition Grimsby Town, where despite a huge effort from the Seagulls, fell to a battling 3-2 defeat.

The Manager: Scott Rogers

After the departure of Scott Bartlett in September 2025 after six years at the club, assistant Scott Rogers took on the role of manager, at first on an interim basis, he was then appointed first-team manager in October 2025. 

Rogers came to Weston originally as assistant in 2023, the season after the club were promoted to the National League South and has experience managing at non-league level with clubs such as Tiverton Town and Willand Rovers before returning to the Seagulls. 

Rogers has looked to continue the work that his former colleague put into the club and has already made history at the club in his short tenure after getting to the FA Cup third round.

The captain: Emlyn Lewis

Captain Emlyn Lewis joined Weston in May 2024 following a long stint at Cardiff Met FC, he has previously represented the Wales C side and captained them. He has even had a taste of European football, playing in the UEFA Europa League with Cardiff Met, a historic moment as they were the first university team to reach the competition.

Lewis is a mainstay in the Weston defence at centre back, starting 25 games for them so far this season.

Form guide - Last five:

🔴 (H) LOSS 1-2 vs Hornchurch – 24 January 2026 - NLS

🔴 (A) LOSS 1-0 vs Hornchurch – 17 January 2026 - NLS

🔴 (A) LOSS 3-2 vs Grimsby Town – 10 January 2026 – FA Cup

🟢 (H) WIN 4-1 vs Farnborough – 3 January 2026 - NLS

🟢 (H) WIN 1-0 vs Salisbury – 30 December 2025 – NLS

ONES TO WATCH:

Louis Britton - Forward

Britton has been in great for this season for Weston, with 14 goals in all competitions so far and currently sits as top scorer for them this season.

He has featured in numerous leagues in his time as a player, making his professional debut in the Championship with Bristol City, he has played in the National League and League of Ireland First Division.

After a prolific year for Bristol Manor Farm in the Southern League Division One in the 2024/25 season (28 goals in 35 games), Britton earned the move to Weston and has kept this goalscoring form up making him a goal threat to any club that they play.

Luke Coulson– Forward

Signing after leaving Dartford in 2024, Luke Coulson has been a mainstay for Weston since he signed and remains a goalscoring threat.

He scored 20 goals in all competitions last year and also has the role of vice-captain, bringing leadership and a goalscoring threat.

Coulson even scored from his own penalty area in March 2025 which is an impressive feat in itself!