Downham Town F.C.

Downham Town

Full name	Downham Town Football Club
Nickname(s)	Town
Founded	1881
Ground	Memorial Field, Downham Market
Chairman	Dale Stokes
Manager	Craig Dickson and Dale Stokes
League	Eastern Counties League Premier Division
2023–24	Eastern Counties League Premier Division, 7th of 19
Home colours Away colours

Downham Town Football Club is a football club based in Downham Market, Norfolk, England. Affiliated to the Norfolk County Football Association, they are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Memorial Field.

History

The club was established in 1881, ^[1] and were originally nicknamed the Saints. They initially played in junior leagues in the King's Lynn area, before joining the Peterborough & District League in 1949, ^[2] when they gained senior status after being elected to the league's Premier Division. In 1961–62 they won the Peterborough Senior Cup, which they retained the following year, also winning the Peterborough & District League title. In 1963–64 they won the Norfolk Senior Cup, winning it again two years later. Further victories in the Peterborough Senior Cup came in 1966–67, 1971–72 and 1986–87, whilst the league title was won in 1973–74, 1978–79. Following back-to-back titles in 1986–87 and 1987–88, the club became founding members of the new Division One of the Eastern Counties League in 1988. ^[3] They remained in the division until 2018, when the league reorganisation saw them placed in Division One North. In 2021–22 the club finished third in Division One North, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. Although they beat Norwich CBS 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–1 to Harleston Town in the final. The following season saw them finish as runners-up in the division, this time winning the promotion play-offs by beating Whittlesey Athletic 4–1 in the semi-finals and Harwich & Parkeston 4–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division.

Downham won the Norfolk Senior Cup for a third time in 2023–24, beating Gorleston 4–2 in the final. ^[4]

Ground

The club plays at the Memorial Field, which is shared with the local cricket club. ^[5] As a result, the ground only has three sides with hardstanding; one touchline features a seated main stand and two covered standing areas, with the area behind both goals consisting of hardstanding.

Honours

• Peterborough & District League
  • Champions 1962–63, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1986–87, 1987–88
• Norfolk Senior Cup
  • Winners 1963–64, 1965–66, 2023–24
• Norfolk Primary Cup
  • Winners 1990–91
• Peterborough Senior Cup
  • Winners 1961–62, 1962–63, 1966–67, 1971–72, 1986–87
• Isle of Ely Challenge Cup
  • Winners 1985–86, 1987–88
• Harry Overland Cup
  • Winners 1996–97, 1998–99
• West Norfolk Cup
  • Winners 1987–88
• Bill Knott Trophy
  • Winners 1989–90, 1991–92

Records

• Best FA Cup performance: Extra-preliminary round 2023–24
• Best FA Vase performance: Third round, 1986–87 ^[3]
• Record attendance: 1,500 vs Norwich City, 1948–49, friendly match ^[6]

See also

• Downham Town F.C. players

References

1. Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) Non-League Club Directory 2017, Tony Williams Publications, p410 ISBN   978-1869833695
2. A Celebration of 100 years 1902–2002, Peterborough & District League
3. Downham Town at the Football Club History Database
4. "Downham Town 4 Gorleston 2 in Norfolk Senior Cup final". Eastern Daily Press. 14 May 2024.
5. Football forces Downham to switch Eastern Daily Press, 26 April 2013
6. Downham Town Archived 1 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine Eastern Counties League

External links

• Official website

52°36′34.02″N0°23′3.79″E / 52.6094500°N 0.3843861°E / 52.6094500; 0.3843861