VINEY St Swithins crashed 5-0 away at Frampton United on New Year's Day in Northern Senior Division Two.

The defeat leaves the club second from bottom in the league, with just Longford beneath them.

Viney were trailing 2-0 when they lost influential midfielder Shaun Bamford to a serious injury.

Bamford fractured and dislocated his elbow and had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. The match ended in virtual darkness following a lengthy stoppage.

"Shaun's our lynchpin and once he went off that was it," said Viney boss Gary Sutton.

"We had four or five players out injured and three or four hung over.

"It wasn't the greatest start to the year, but Frampton are one of the best teams we've played this season."

Viney's campaign started with so much promise.

Anomaly – the PR company responsible for promoting the likes of Manchester City, Sony, Umbro, Diesel and Converse – agreed to support them to see 'where the story took them'.

The bizarre link-up came about through Sutton and his friendship with Anomaly's Alex Haines.

Viney scooped £3,000 worth of kit in the deal as Anomaly sought to promote them worldwide using social media sites.

Sutton said: "The publicity put added pressure on the players.

"Other teams have raised their games against us, but we've also suffered from losing four or five key players.

"Anomaly are still very much involved with the club. They have promised to buy us a ball launcher, which is an expensive bit of kit.

"It would be nice if we could repay them a bit for the time and money they've invested in us."

Sutton says the number one goal for Viney this season is to avoid relegation to the North Gloucestershire League.

He said: "Fortunately, because two teams have already dropped out, it looks like only one team will be relegated.

"Staying up is the aim, but we'll certainly look to improve next year. The lads who are here have worked really hard, it's not their fault that others left us.

"Things just haven't gone our way.

"I still think we have an unbelievable set-up at the club and the pitch and clubhouse are among the best in the Forest."