Winchester City V Downton 11/01/2022

WINCHESTER CITY Football Club The Citizens Post

Tuesday January 11th 2022

Downton FC 7.45pm Southampton Senior Cup

THE CHARTERS COMMUNITY STADIUM

£1

The Citizens Post

from the boardroom Good Evening Welcome to the Charters Community Stadium for tonight's Southampton Senior Cup First Round tie between Winchester City and Downton.

We would like to offer a particularly warm welcome to the players, staff, officials and supporters that have made the journey across the New Forest this evening. We hope you have an enjoyable evening with us and have a safe journey home.

The winners of tonight's tie travel to Pitching-In Southern League Division One South side, Sholing, so a tough tie in the Second Round awaits tonight's winners.

Thank-you to everyone who turned out for our game here on Friday night against AFC Totton. We had an excellent crowd and an excellent result to match that. It was great to see so many new faces at the club and we hope you had an enjoyable evening, despite the cold, and we look forward to seeing you back here again soon.

Up next we travel to Barnstaple Town on Saturday. There are still some spaces available on the coach for this game. You can add your spot by adding your name to the thread on the club's unofficial forum or also by seeing the pinned post at the top of the clubs' official Twitter page.

Thanks for your support as always!

Up The Winch! #youcitizens Matt Richbell

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Match Report

By Malcolm Clarke

WINCHESTER CITY 3 - 1 AFC TOTTON ON a cold Friday evening an excellent team performance enabled Winchester City to come from behind to beat AFC Totton 3-1. The result moved them up to fourth in the table two points below third placed AFC Totton having played one game more, although Sholing's win on Saturday has pushed them back to fifth.

It was a welcome return to home form for Winchester who had lost their two previous home matches after taking the lead, although their good away form has meant they have not slipped down the table as a result. However with AFC Totton the first of four home matches which also includes Plymouth Parkway, Frome and Sholing.

AFC Totton are an ambitious well supported club who have a full time bar manager and were able to name Brett Williams who has 44 league appearances to his name on the bench. They recently announced the signing of Pascal Kpohomouh, a player who has represented England at under 16, under 17 and under 18 level where he has played alongside some players who have gone on to become full England internationals and Kpohomouh was also on the substitutes bench against Winchester.

The match was given an added spice by the fact that several players had represented both clubs and these included manager Craig Davis and players Rob Flooks, Craig Feeney and Patrick Nolan on the Winchester side with Feeney switching clubs earlier in the season.

Winchester were able to name the same 16 as they had done for the Lymington fixture with the only change being Craig Feeney starting in place of Oli Bailey whom he had replaced on Saturday. As befitting a local derby between two teams in the top six of the division the initial stages of the match were played at a fast and furious pace.

For Winchester Rob Flooks has a header well saved by Lewis Noice, while Patrick Nolan hit the post. Hisham Kasimu who has been in prolific goalscoring fror the visitors who had been averaging over 3 goals per league games and he demonstrated in the early stages that he was not afraid to shoot from distance with his powerfully struck effort from outside the area being well saved by Winchester goalkeeper Charlie Philpott at the expense of a corner.

AFC Totton though took the lead in the 10th minute when an effort from Frederick Read hit the post and Adeoye Olumuyiwa followed up to score. However a minute later Winchester were level when captain Jamie Barron set up Warren Bentley to score. The game continues to be rend to end, but although Jamie Barron shoots wide goalscoring opportunities are fewer than in the early stages of the game. Winchester however take the lead in the 31st minute when a cross from Danny King is only cleared as far as King itself and King was able to play the ball back into the area for Rob Flooks to acore.

Ollie Balmer then saw Lewis Noice out of position, but was just off target with his ambitious lob. However shortly afterwards Balmer provided a good finish after being put through and beating the offside trip. Before half time Kieran Douglas who gave another commanding performance in the Winchester defence made an excellent block to deny Olumuyiwa to ensure Winchester went into the interval with a 3-1 lead. Ironically on their last meaningful home Friday night fixture Winchester also held a 3-1 lead only for Salisbury to rally and win 5-4 with Tom Whelan now with Eastleigh scoring a late winner.

One expected AFC Totton to put the pressure on in the second half to try and get back in the game, but Winchester were defending well as a unit and were also a danger in attack. Although Charlie Philpott was bought into action early in the second half Jamie Barron had one effort that was narrowly wide, while Rob Flooks hit the bar with a header.

Winchester bring on Ollie Griggs and Oli Bailey for Patrick Nolan and Ollie Balmer respectively, but AFC Totton begin to apply more pressure and Philpott has to save from Jordan Ngalo. AFC Totton bring on Jordan Ragguette and Brett Williams and the two substitutes almost having an immediate impact with Ragguette shooting just wide with a curling shot and Williams forcing a save from Philpott, but thankfully for Winchester Douglas was able to block Kasimu's effort.

The rest of the game was played out without alarm and Max Smith coming in for Warren Bentley. Jamie Barron again comes close and although Callum Baughan forces a further save from Philpott a good evening's work has now been completed in front of a healthy crowd of 409.

The Citizens Post malcolms musings We welcome Downton to Winchester for tonight’s Southampton Senior Cup tie, with the winners of tonight’s tie playing away to Sholing in the next round. With this being the only cup competition that our senior team are still involved in and with cup games also providing opportunities for fringe and young players it is difficult to get the balance between winning and blooding players, but we trust that our management team will get this balance right.

I first saw Downton play in the 1987/88 season when they won 4-0 at Malshanger in a Hampshire League game when I happened to be staying at Malshanger on a weekend with the Church. That victory played an important part in enabling Downton to be promoted at Malshanger’s expense that season and I have vague recollections of talking to some of their supporters after this game.

Downton are at the time of writing seventh in the Wessex League Division 1, but they have won more than half of their league games and it is worth pointing out that New Milton Town who are three places below them have this season reached the last 32 of the F A Vase. It is also worth noting that this is Downton’s 29th consecutive season of Wessex League football and they have spent 17 of these seasons in the top flight of this league.

Downton’s best season was probably 1995/96 which was their third season as a Wessex League club when they won both the league cup and the Russell Cotes Cup, but they have three times finished in the top eight in the top flight of Wessex League football and have twice won the Wiltshire Senior Cup. They have also enjoyed success in Bournemouth and Salisbury area football competitions.

The clubs last met in league action in the 2011/12 season and that unfortunately the one season I do not have Wessex League results for, although that season we were promoted to the Southern League as champions with an impressive goal difference of +99, while newly promoted Downton achieved a best ever placing of sixth in the top flight of Wessex League football with an impressive record of 24 wins from their 42 league games. However these matches in the 2011/12 season were not the only league matches between the two clubs in the 21st century as in both 2003/04 and 2004/05 which were good seasons for Winchester and not so good for Downton the clubs met with results Winchester scores first being 2003/04 H4-0 A3-1 2005/06 H6-0 A3-4, although I am certain past history will count for nothing as far as today’s game is concerned.

I have been to their ground the Brian Whitehead sports stadium in Wick Lane, Downton on several occasions and the club is located close to the Hampshire/Wioltshire/Dorset border. Ally Henderson’s son plays for the reserves.

Amongst the club’s former players is Walter Judd a centre forward who scored 13 goals in34 appearances for Southampton shortly after the second world war and he played once for the England B team in 1952 with his sole appearance being against the British Olympic eleven who were at the time preparing for the Olympic Games in Helsinki. However later in 1952 Judd’s professional career was over when at the age of 26 he snapped ligaments in his leg although he later returned to playing football in the New Forest before dying in 1964 at the age of 38.

Having already wished Plymouth Parkway the best of luck for their F A Trophy tie this weekend I would also like to pass on my best wishes to Larkhall who travel to Stockport in the competition. It is good to see teams from our division reach the last 32 of the F A Trophy and Larkhall certainly showed against us a month ago today that they are a good team going forward. As recently as 2001/02 Stockport were playing in the second flight of English football and were playing in the same division as Manchester City. In 1996/97 Stockport reached the semi finals of the football league cup where they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Middlesborough despite winning the away leg.

Winchester football club are always on the lookout for volunteers whether irt is help in the burger bar, the stewarding or the turnstile your help would be appreciated.

The Citizens Post

DAVOs diary Good evening and a warm welcome to you all for tonight’s Southampton Senior cup tie against Downton, I wish their players, management and supporters a nice evening and safe trip home afterwards.

They are having a good season and pushing the top places in their league, they have some players who have played higher than their current league and are in good form, we have done our usual level of preparation on them despite not being a league game or major cup priority, we have seen them play and know that they have some talented players, we will need to switch ourselves on to what we need to do or we will come unstuck, so we will make sure we do that.

Friday night was a special night against AFC Totton, we were outstanding from start to finish and pressed them to submission really, 3-1 up at the break and should have been more, then 2nd half we held them at bay and they didn’t really threaten and we could just as likely extended the lead as conceded, a really brilliant display against a side expected to be promoted, that is a fantastic achievement and a bar that we have set, briefly up to 4th but after weekend games down to 5th and that is superb, we want more of course we do but to be 5th at this stage is no mean feat, 22 points out of the last 30, that is without us playing as well as we can at times! We have to keep it going and see where it leaves us!

Player wise we carried a fair few niggles from Friday and will be rotating the lineup tonight to protect a few, we want to keep the winning run going tonight and let’s hope we can do that, we will need to put a good display in to do so though!

Get behind the lads and enjoy the game!

Up the winch!!

Davo

Todays Visitors DOWNTON FC Downton Football Club was formed in September 1905, following a meeting which had been arranged by the Rev J.H. Phillips.

Early results were not very encouraging. However, after the First World War in 1919 the Robins fared better after entering the Salisbury & District League.

They gained promotion from Division Two to Division One in 1920, but returned to Division Two in 1924. The 1924/25 season saw Downton become the first winners of the Norman Court Cup, beating Alderbury in the final.

They won the competition again in 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1939 and then on three further occasions after World War II. Downton won the Wilts Junior Cup for the first time in 1949/50, defeating Atworth 6-2 in the final. The following season, the club entered the Bournemouth League and gained promotion to Division One, winning the championship five times. The 1958/59 season saw them secure promotion to Senior Division One, winning the title seven times between 1959/60 and 1967/68 – an achievement which resulted in Bournemouth FA presenting the club with a special plaque. Downton also won the Bournemouth Senior Cup in 1962/63 and 1979/80 and the Senior League Cup in 1961/62, 1963/64 and 1966/67.

In order to progress further, Downton joined the Hampshire League in 1968/69, winning promotion in 1971/72. More promotions followed in 1978/79 and 1979/80.

In 1992/93, The Robins were elected to the Wessex League – the club's reserves joining its Combination League. The 1995/96 campaign proved one of the club's best ever – winning both the Wessex League Cup and the Russell Cotes Cup, while its reserves finished runners-up in the Combination Cup. They also entered the FA Vase for the first time.

A highest ever league finish of eighth was achieved in the 1996/97 season.

The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1997/98. Downton enjoyed county success in the Wilts Senior Cup, winning it in 1979/80 and 1980/81, and finishing runners-up in 1955/56, 1991/92 and 1994/95.

Todays Visitors DOWNTON FC Closer to home, The Robins lifted the Salisbury Hospital Cup in 2008/09, beating Shrewton United in the final having defeated Laverstock & Ford and Amesbury Town en-route. They retained the cup the following season when they beat Chalke Valley in the final, staged at Salisbury City's Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

The 2010/11 campaign proved a highly memorable one. As well as securing promotion to the Premier Division after being crowned Division One champions in what was the league's 25th anniversary season, Downton also enjoyed their best ever run in the FA Vase, reaching the second round for the first time.

A number of other accolades followed - Jeff Softley picked up the Manager of the Year honour at the league's 25th anniversary celebrations with four players – Charles Aldridge, Calum Robertson, Nick Turpin and Declan McGregor – all named in the Division One Team of the Year.

Downton finished 6th in their first year back in the Sydenhams Premier League, their highest finish ever. They also won the Hospital Cup again, winning 4-0 against Laverstock and Ford.

The Club were relegated back into Division One in 2013-14, having remained there since with a number of mid-table finishes. In 2017-18, the Youth section was added to the club, with four teams now playing under the Downton badge, ranging from Under 12’s to Under 18’s. The club remains committed to building out a Senior and Youth squad for the area to be proud of, with the aim of having a full range of 10 youth clubs over the next few years.

Fixtures Southampton Senior Cup First Round AFC Totton Bishops Waltham Comrades Fawley AFC Hamble Club Ringwood Town Romsey Town Stockbridge Upham Warsash Wasps Whiteley Wandere Winchester City

1-0 v v v v v v v v v v v

Second Round AFC Stoneham

v

Bashley QK Southampton Alresford Town BTC Southampton Infinity Tendown Athletic New Milton Town Knightwood Utd Hedge End Range Locks Heath Folland Sports Res Downton

Hamble Club/Infinity

Division 1 Table

AFC Totton v Durley Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Folland Sports Braishfield v Sway Brockenhurst v Ringwood To/Tendown Athlet Chamberlayne Ath v Hedge End Town Colden Common v Upham/Hedge End Rangers Comrades/Alresford Town v Warsash Wasps/Locks Heath Fawley AFC/ BTC Southampton v Southbrook Hythe & Dibden v Hamble United Millbrook v Bishops Waltham/QK Southampton Romsey Town/New Milton Town v Compton Sholing v Winchester City/Downton Stockbridge/Knightwood U v AFC Stoneham R Testlands v Lyndhurst Whiteley Wanderers/Folland Sports Res v Blackfield & Langley

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

CHARLIE PHILPOTT Young Goalkeeper who has made the number one berth his own in a second season at the club, dual-registered from National League side, Eastleigh. A Wales Futsal International with a bright future ahead of him.

DANNY KING Left sided defender, the clubs longest-serving player currently and a real fans favourite. A teacher by trade, he has played for Chelsea and Southampton in his youth. Danny reached his testimonial year last season and had his testimonial at the end of the 2017-18 campaign. ‘Kinger’ also skippers the side in the absence of Jamie Barron.

JOE HAYWARD Defender who joined us having previously been with Eastleigh FC, unfortunately broke his leg early in his City career but returned quickly and showed what great potential he has. Joe scored a memorable goal, City’s spot kick, in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup away to Torquay United in the 2018-19 campaign.

JAMIE BARRON Re-signed from Gosport Borough Jamie has played for Salisbury, Andover, Sholing and Folland Sports. A winner of a Schools National Cup medal. Appointed Captain for another season and a really important player for us. ‘Baz’ has remained loyal to City despite interest from elsewhere.

SIMBA MLAMBO Also signed from Davis’ former club, Fleet Town. Mlambo has spent some time in North Hampshire and was an Alton Town player before this. Can play wide or up front and a player with immense speed and power in the air. Another playing starting his fifth season with City. Simba works tirelessly for the cause and scores important goals as well.

ROB FLOOKS ‘Flooksy’ is another former City man that has returned to the club. He left to join Southern Premier League side, Gosport Borough, but after a spell at Privett Park, has returned to the City Ground.

MAX SMITH Max has previous experience at Moneyfields and most recently and, Alton Town, before joining City ahead of the 2019-20 season. He started his career at the Portsmouth FC academy. A dynamic Midfielder that we have high hopes for in the season ahead.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

KIERAN DOUGLAS Young Defender signed from the Wessex leagues’ Christchurch FC, where he had been Captain for two successful seasons. A tall, strong and composed player who has settled in very well at the club already and we only see good things for the future. Kieran re-joined Christchurch on dual-registered forms for their FA Vase run in the 2020-21 season but he is now back at City once again.

OLLY BALMER 21-year-old Forward who has signed from Poole Town, having played for them at the Conference South level. Olly is technically skilled with an eye for the goal, so we are looking forward to him flourishing with the Citizens this year. Balmer has turned in many influential displays for City, including scoring a memorable last-minute free-kick at Cirencester Town which made him a fans favourite.

OLLIE GRIGGS Combative Midfielder who we are pleased to be signing permanently for the Citizens this season having played with the club on two occasions in the past whilst at Southern Premier club, Dorchester Town. Griggsy has played for both City and Dorchester in recent years and has now signed for City once again for the 2021-22 season.

NICK HARVEY Young Goalkeeper, Nick Harvey, has signed first-team forms for City this season. Harvey played for City’s Under-23s last season whilst dual-registered with Ringwood Town. An agile young Goalkeeper, with a bright future ahead.

LIAM CALLAGHAN A tricky former AFC Totton winger that has signed forms a second consecutive season for City. Callaghan featured heavily for City’s Under-23s at the end of last season once their title winning campaign restarted and was a constant threat for opposition defences.

LEX VAUGHAN Lex burst onto the scene by performing outstandingly in Jamie Ricketts' successful Under-16s side. Lex was promoted directly to the Under-23s where he impressed last season, so much so that he too has signed first-team forms for the 2021-22 season.

TYRELL MITFORD City’s FA Cup hero has re-signed for the club once again. Mitford will be hoping to emulate his recent goalscoring exploits. An excellent finisher who lists Ramsgate, Kings Langley, Beaconsfield and Team Solent amongst his former sides.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

OLI BAILEY A club legend that has moved back to the area and re-signed from Gresley Rovers. Bailey had several prolific seasons at the club before re-locating but he is now back in the area and back at City. A former Gosport Borough forward.

JOSH McCORMICK ‘Macca’ has signed first-team forms once again City. A former City youth team player that went on to play first team football elsewhere, including at Bognor Regis Town. Josh is now converted to a full-back and has been a regular in Davo’s plans since returning to the club.

WARREN BENTLEY 'Wazza' has returned 'home', after scoring over 100 goals during his last spell at The City Ground. Bentley left in 2016 to join Gosport Borough and has since played for Hungerford, Poole Town, Weymouth, Salisbury and most recently has a second spell at National League South side, Hungerford Town. A prolific striker and a firm fans favourite.

PIP NOLAN 'Pip', Patrick Nolan, is another returning Citizen. Nolan is a central defender that has stepped-in with Kieran Douglas gaining an injury in November. Nolan joined City from AFC Stoneham and has also recently served Brockenhurst and Team Solent in the Wessex League.

DAN WALSTER - A talented central defender that has dual-registered with City from National Premier League side, Aldershot Town. Walster started out at AFC Bournemouth Academy before he then switched to Aldershot's Academy. Dan most recently played first-team football at Chichester City and has now become a regular in the heart of the City defence.

WINCHESTER CITY FC PLAYER PROFILES

2021/- 2022

STAFF PROFILES CRAIG DAVIS Player-Manager who came to City from Fleet Town after relinquishing his position as Manager. Took over as Interim Manager until the end of the 2016-17 season before taking over the reins permanently. His playing career started off as a pro at Cardiff City before spells at Bashley, Salisbury, Gosport Borough and AFC Totton. Has won both the Southern League South and West and Premier as a player. ‘Davo’ has had several opportunities to move on from City, including an opportunity at a higher level, but he has shown his commitment and loyalty to City and we are delighted to have him at the helm.

SEAN BIRCHNALL Assistant Manager now in his third season with the club. Sean is an experienced coach who has managed the Army football team as well. Struggles with availability at times due to work commitments but a huge asset to Craig’s backroom staff when available.

CRAIG MARTIN First Team Coach. Craig has been at the club for several season now. He played with Davo at Fleet Town and is based locally.

MARC COLE Goalkeeping Coach. ‘Coler’ has been an ever-present on matchdays for the First Team since his arrival at the club from Alresford Town.

JO BROCKSOM Jo is in her 6th season now at Winchester as Sports therapist, this is her 2nd season taking a leading role though, has been integral in keeping our players on the pitch and delighted to have her with the club again this season.

RYAN PRYCE 'Prycey' is officially still a player for City but is more often spotted in the technical area these days. An experienced Goalkeeper that played for AFC Bournemouth First-Team on numerous occasions and made the number one spot here his own. A great character to have around has invaluable experience to provide Craig and the backroom team.

MIKE CARTER A great character to gave around the dressing room. Mike was formerly Club Secretary and has performed several other roles within the club. He now assists with the First Team and Under 23s and is a key asset to the club.

Ground Regulations Welcome to the Charters City Ground.

Please respect the staff and the facilities: ◊

Please do not enter the field of play before, during or after the game.

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Ball games are not permitted around the ground whilst matches are in progress

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Please do not use rude, obscene, racial or abusive language or gestures that are likely to cause offence.

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Please do not take glasses outside. Alcohol may now be consumed outside, but in plastic glasses only (in accordance with new Hampshire FA ruling).

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Please do not climb floodlights, pylons, fences, stands and other club structures.

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Please do not stand in the hatched areas around the pitch.

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No offensive objects are permitted (including bottles, cans, glasses, smoke bombs, flares etc.) or throwing any objects on the field of play.

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Please note that all vehicles parked on the club premises are at owners/driver's risk.

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The club accepts no responsibility for any damage to vehicles.

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Any supporter who encroached on to the playing area will be arrested.

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Comments or items in the programme do not necessarily represent those of Winchester City FC.

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The club reserves the right to refuse admission, eject from the ground, or prosecute any person in breach of the rules

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Winchester City FC CLUB HISTORY

The Winchester Football Club was founded in 1884 as a result of the endeavours of two residents of the city – Oxford graduate and former England Rugby cap Charles Sylvester Wooldridge and Huntingdon-born all-round sportsman (and, incidentally, inventor of ice hockey!) Arnold Tebbutt. The football club, which had strong links with Winchester College, made quite an impact in the early years of association football in Hampshire, reaching the final of the inaugural Hampshire Senior Cup competition in 1888 and providing a number of players to represent Hampshire in county-based competitions. However financial difficulties, combined with the indifference of Winchester residents, led to the 1884 club folding in 1893.

The decline of the city’s most high-profile club left a void that was subsequently to be filled by the Winchester Swallows FC. Formed in 1891, the Swallows were less socially exclusive than the 1884 club and had a membership more reflective of that of Winchester as a whole. The club changed its name to Winchester FC at the start of the start of the 1894/95 season, and again in 1907 when it became Winchester City FC. Like the 1884 club, the Swallows appeared in a dark blue and white strip and played their home games at Bar End, before moving in 1896 to a field adjoining the Old Red Deer pub in Stockbridge Road, and relocating again to the Roebuck Inn in 1902.

The club first played in a league-based competition in 1896/97 when it entered the newly-formed South Hampshire League. Winchester FC won the title in this first season, and repeated that feat in the each of the following three years. The club joined the Hampshire League in 1898/99 where, after struggling during their first few seasons, they remained unbeaten throughout the 1904/05 season and won the League’s Northern Section. The club also enrolled to the Southampton and District League in 1908/09, but with no notable success.

Like a number of other football clubs, Winchester City FC effectively disbanded at the start of the First World War in 1914, and didn’t reappear until 1920.

The rebirth of the club signalled two significant changes. Firstly, the club had moved again, this time playing its home fixtures at the Fair Field at Bar End (now the site of the Bar End Industrial Estate), a site where it was to stay until the Second World War. Secondly, it adopted a new strip, discarding its navy-blue colours in favour of red and white stripes.

The late 20s and early 30s proved to be a purple patch in City’s fortunes. The 1929/30 season saw the side again win the Northern Section of the Hampshire League, and achieve its most successful FA Cup run to date. That year saw City reach the fourth qualifying round of the tournament where a 3-0 defeat by Thames FC at the 120,000 capacity West Ham Stadium deprived them of an away trip to Fulham in the First-Round proper. Any disappointment at this would have been forgotten two years later in 1931 when City lifted the Hampshire Senior Cup for the first time after defeating Andover at The Dell.

One of the key members of the team in that era was the teenage Ted Drake. A local gas meter-reader at the time of joining City, Drake went on to enjoy a successful career with Southampton before joining Arsenal and also collecting five England caps. The highlight of his subsequent managerial career saw him steer Chelsea to their first (and, until 2005, their only) league title in 1955.

Play was again interrupted by war in 1939, although the club did continue to play and took advantage of the presence of a number of enlisted players that passed through the city. The end of hostilities saw City move yet again, this time taking up a lease of the Army’s playing field at Airlie Road, Stanmore.

The 1950s saw a second notable period of success at Winchester City. The side were runners up in the Hampshire League in 1949/50 and, in the same season, won their first Southampton Senior Cup final, an achievement which was repeated in 1951/52. The Russell Cotes Cup was also won for the first time in 1954/55. Success on the field was mirrored off the pitch as the club enjoyed some of its largest gates with crowds that regularly topped 1,000 filing into the Airlie Road stands.

CLUB HISTORY It was during this period that the young Terry Paine ran out for his hometown club. His prodigious talent led to his being signed in 1956 by Southampton with whom he made a record number of appearances (713 over 17 seasons). Paine also made 19 appearances for England, the last of which was against Mexico in the 1966 World Cup finals for which he (belatedly) received a winner’s medal in 2009.

Prior to the 1970s City had played virtually all of its competitive football, with the exceptions of the Amateur and FA Cups, within the confines of the Hampshire county border. However, after the club’s Russell Cotes Cup victory and a creditable second spot in the Hampshire League in 1970/71 the club’s Board decided to make the step up and enter the Southern League for the first time. City survived for just two seasons at that higher level, achieving disappointing final positions of 12th out of 16 (1971/72) and 21st out of 22 (1972/73), before electing to return to the Hampshire League.

For the remainder of the 1970s City yoyo’d between the top two divisions of the Hampshire League before a potentially fatal blow hit the club in 1981. In that year the lease agreement with the Army for Airlie Road expired and was not renewed. Briefly homeless, the club eventually moved to its current ground, a pitch leased from the City Council at Hillier Way. The ground needed a considerable amount of work to get it up to scratch, as did the team which had tumbled into the Hampshire League’s third division by 1982/83. The ignominy of this decline was made all the greater by the success of local rivals Winchester Castle in the first division – City could no longer claim to be Winchester’s premier club.

The continuing existence of Winchester City FC throughout the 1980s owed much to the work of Geoff Cox who at various times acted as Chairman, Manager, Coach and Groundsman at the club. Under his guidance the club was eventually to return to the Hampshire League’s top division in 1993/94.

The new millennium ushered in a period of unprecedented success for Winchester City. Prompted in part by the arrival of new and ambitious members to the Board, the club merged with Winchester Castle and began a rapid rise through the local league structure. Promotion to the Hampshire Premier League was achieved in 2000/01, and followed two years later by promotion to the Wessex League. The Wessex League title was secured at the first attempt.

That same season witnessed the club’s greatest ever triumph. May 2004 saw City face Suffolk side AFC Sudbury in the final of FA Vase at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s ground. Few that were there will forget the spine-jangling moment when club captain Danny Smith lifted the trophy after the 2-0 victory.

Further successes were recorded in the seasons that followed – 2004/05 saw City win the Hampshire Senior Cup for the second time, beating Aldershot 2-1 at Bournemouth’s Dean Court ground, whilst 2005/06 witnessed the club regain the Wessex League championship and win promotion to the Southern League for a second spell.

City’s return to the Southern League lasted three seasons. Financial problems, followed by a final day points deduction saw City return to the Wessex League for the 2009/10 campaign. Despite a concerted push to gain promotion back to the Southern League which ultimately proved successful in 2011/12, the resources required to sustain the club’s position at that level proved elusive. Winchester City FC finished the 2012/13 season at the foot of the Southern league and facing an uncertain future. The late spring of 2013 saw a takeover at the club and, with a new Committee structure and financial backers in place, the 2013/14 season heralds the start of a new chapter in the history of Winchester City FC. 2013-2014 saw a season of re-organisation and team building, with City retaining a place in the Sydenhams Wessex League.

2015-2016 – City made a valiant attempt to take the Wessex title but just fell short to a very successful Peters field Town side who were rightly promoted to the Southern League. City under the Managership of Paul Masters then set about strengthening the squad to win the title next season when out of the blue they were offered a place in the Southern League due to a withdrawal. The Club were given 24 hours to pay their fees and attend the AGM in Torquay. A frantic drive by Director of Football Dave Malone saw him arrive just in time with the relevant papers and bank draft! As a result, our neighbours, Peters field Town, were moved out of Division 1 South and West to accommodate City and placed in the Central Division!

CLUB HISTORY City's first season back in the Southern League was a success with them reaching the play-offs final losing to Banbury United in the quarter finals, who were promoted and coming within minutes of winning the Hampshire Senior Cup losing on penalties to Havant and Waterlooville. City's preparation for this season were disrupted by the unexpected resignation of Manager Paul Masters in the middle or pre-season friendlies. The Club quickly filled the vacancy by appointing Petersfield Town's Manager Ian Saunders to the post.

The club started the season brightly and made it to the fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, beating US Portsmouth, Street and Truro City before finally succumbing to Harrow Borough. The club also had a successful run in the FA Trophy, thanks to wins against Petersfield Town, Fleet Town and Phoenix Sports before getting knocked out narrowly by Dulwich Hamlet. Craig Feeney and Howard Neighbour forced a strong strike partnership, added to that the midfield flair of Captain Stuart Green and winger, Andy Jenkinson, City recovered from a difficult spell before Christmas to mount a play-off push in the early stages of the New Year. Manager, Ian Saunders, went away with the military, and during this time, Mick Catlin stepped in to take over the running of the First-Team. When Saunders returned, form deteriorated and Saunders subsequently left the club and was replaced by Interim Manager, Craig Davis, who joined the club from Fleet Town. Davis took control of the club until the end of the season, when it was announced that he would officially be becoming Permanent First Team Manager.

‘Davo’ finished 11th with City in his first full season in charge, a season that saw a successful run, resulting in a Hampshire Senior Cup Semi-Final where City eventually lost to Blackfield & Langley. The Citizens also hosted Southampton FC in the Southampton Senior Cup and achieved memorable league victories against Didcot Town, Evesham United, Swindon Supermarine and Wimborne Town as well as impressive away draws at both Swindon Supermarine and Salisbury, the latter seeing City come from 2-0 down to salvage a point at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

In the 2018-19, City had an impressive pre-season including victories over Dorchester Town and Eastleigh. City started strongly in the league too. This went hand-in-hand with a cup run that saw the Citizens make it through to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, following victories against Bournemouth Poppies, Frome Town, Merthyr Town and Cirencester Town before eventually losing 4-1 away at Torquay United. City’s league form dipped slightly during this period but a strong finish to the season meant that City missed out on the play-offs on the last day of the season. City needed three points away at Cinderford Town, but the game finished 0-0 meaning it was in fact Cinderford that finished in the final play-off berth.

Tyrell Mitford, Joe Cook and Josh Harfield left the club during the 2019-20 pre-season and into the club have come Kieran Douglas, Keith Emmerson, Olly Balmer and Dan Williamson has returned to City. City performed well during the 2019-20 campaign and were 4th in the league with a play-off berth looking likely when the season was curtailed due to Covid-19. City made the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before losing to Taunton Town but impressive cup runs in the local competitions took place once again. City were also League Cup semi-finalists, securing £1000 prize money for doing so.

A belated pre-season campaign took place in August 2020 with away wins at Bedfont Sports, Hartley Wintney and Marlow FC. Tyrell Mitford has returned to the club along with Josh McCormick and new faces Graeme Purdy, Jack Wilson, Felix Davies, Charlie Philpott, Josh Davies and Kel Akpobire have all joined the club.

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