Tunley Athletic are being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn their luck around following a nationwide search to find a grassroots football club in desperate need of help.

After receiving more than 600 applications from teams across the country, the 100-year-old team, based near Bath, has been chosen as Specsavers’ Best Worst Team and for once, are title winners.

It’s been a turbulent time for the club and last season was one of the worst. With 26 losses out of 26 games played and an astonishing -137 goal difference, they finished rock bottom of the Uhlsport Somerset County League last season.

To turn the Division Three side’s fortunes around, footballing legend Harry Redknapp is back out of retirement to give the team world-class, face-to-face training and mentorship. Having steered Welsh underdogs Cwm Albion to dizzying heights last season, he’s the perfect man for the job.

(Image: Steve Russell Studios Ltd.) “We’re over the moon and so grateful to Specsavers for giving us the opportunity to turn the club around,” says Duncan Fear, who has been manager of Tunley Athletic for ten years.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, but last season was our toughest yet. We didn’t pick up a single point, but the boys still turned up, put their boots on and gave it their best shot week in, week out.”

During the season, Harry will also be calling upon some of the most famous faces in the world of sport to lend a hand, while also treating the team to money-can’t-buy experiences usually reserved for only elite players and clubs.

Tunley Athletic’s journey will be documented by Specsavers throughout the 2024/2025 footballing season in a six-part YouTube series. You can also follow the journey of the 'Best Worst Team' and watch all the action over on Specsavers’ social channels and dedicated ‘Best Worst Team’ YouTube channel.