History
The club were formed as a works side in 1921 and were originally known as Docks & Marine Sports.
They joined the Southampton League, and with a large work force at Southampton Docks were able to assemble a strong squad. They quickly established themselves as a force and expanded with the addition of other sides. The first team soon progressed to the Senior section after winning the Junior Division 1 and Southampton Junior 'A' Cup double in 1926. Two years later they won the Southampton Senior Cup, defeating Romsey Town 3–1 at The Dell, Southampton. [1]
The thirties were a very successful time for the 'Mariners' in which they again won the Southampton Senior Cup in 1931 and 1934, were beaten finalists in 1933 and 1936. There was success in the league also as they were Senior Division 1 champions on four occasions. In 1939 they won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup, but their progress was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. [2]
The post war era saw the club reform, and in 1947 they again won the Senior Division 1 title and reached the Southampton Senior Cup final. This resulted in promotion to the Hampshire League where they were placed in the newly formed Division 3 East. [3]
In 1954 the club was renamed BTC Southampton (Britsh Transport Commission) and won promotion in 1957. However, at the time, Division 2 was of a very high and they were relegated straight back after losing almost every game. The club continued to struggle in Division 3 and were relegated again in 1960. [4]
Back in the Southampton League, BTC regrouped and were re-elected to the Hampshire League in 1968 when that competition was expanded. The seventies saw them generally hold down a steady mid-table position, but by the early eighties they frequently struggling and were relegated in 1984 after finishing rock bottom. [5]
After a spell of alternating between the top two divisions, the nineties saw BTC re-emerge as a force, winning the Senior Division 1 title in 1994. Three years later, they made their first appearance in the Southampton Senior Cup final for 50 years, but were defeated 1–3 by neighbours Eastleigh Reserves under The Dell floodlights. After narrowly missing out several times, they were Premier Division champions for the first time in 1999 and Hampshire Intermediate Cup finalists.
In 2004, BTC became founder-members of the Hampshire League 2004 [6] but made a poor start and were unfortunately forced to withdraw mid-season after being hit by a player exodus. The club continued to operate in the Southampton League with mixed fortunes, after regaining their top-flight status they were champions in 2015 and 2017 before again being relegated. However, they again bounced back and in 2022 enjoyed their best season, with all three teams winning there respective divisions, along with two cups. [7] [8] [9]
In 2025 they were promoted to the Hampshire Premier League Division 1.
Ground
The club play at BTC Sports Ground, Stoneham Lane, Swaythling, Southampton, SO16 2PA. [13] [14]
The venue has a large car park, pavilion with three well maintained full sized pitches. The club frequently hosts cup finals, and in the past has leased their facilities to a number of local clubs - most notably Southampton, who used it for their nursery sides whilst playing the Hampshire League. [15]
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