| Full name | Swanmore Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Swans | ||
| Founded | 1906 | ||
| Dissolved | 1999 | ||
| Ground | Broad Lane Recreation Ground, Swanmore. | ||
Swanmore Football Club were a long running amateur football club based in Swanmore, a village near Bishop's Waltham in the Meon Valley area of Hampshire, England.
Swanmore F.C. were originally established in 1906 and initially played friendly matches. [1]
In 1920 they became founder members of the Meon Valley League, where they held membership for many years - winning the title on multiple occasions. In 1949 Swanmore won the Hampshire Junior 'A' Cup.
After spells playing in the Eastleigh and Winchester Leagues, Swanmore belatedly joined the Southampton League in 1971. Success was instant, as they enjoyed a meteoric rise - winning six promotions (including four titles) to reach the Premier Division by 1978. [2]
'The Swans' consolidated their new found status in the top-flight and were a steady mid-table side until relegation in 1986. After a spell of rebuilding, they bounced back stronger three years later. [3]
In 1992 Swanmore finished second, and made a successful application to join the Hampshire League Division 3. [4] Initially, the club performed well at the higher grade - finishing as high as fourth in 1995. [5]
After two difficult seasons, the 1998/99 campaign saw a vast improvement with a solid top half final position. However, like many others, their prospects of further progression were massively reduced following the introduction of stricter ground grading requirements. Inevitably, this saw the ambitious management team depart for pastures new - unable to find a suitable replacement, and compounded by the all too familiar problems of high costs and shortage of volunteers, Swanmore folded. [6]
| Season | Division | Position | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992/93 | Three | 9/16 | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 59 | 52 | 40 | |
| 1993/94 | Three | 8/16 | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 60 | 51 | 42 | |
| 1994/95 | Three | 4/18 | 34 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 68 | 59 | 62 | Highest ever position |
| 1995/96 | Three | 7/18 | 34 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 53 | 57 | 54 | |
| 1996/97 | Three | 16/20 | 38 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 47 | 95 | 39 | |
| 1997/98 | Three | 15/16 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 35 | 119 | 13 | Re-elected |
| 1998/99 | Three | 8/19 | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 77 | 62 | 49 | Folded |
Swanmore F.C. played at Broad Lane Recreation Ground, Swanmore, Hampshire, SO32 2PD.
Owned by Swanmore Parish Council, the venue has an adult football pitch and a multi-purpose pavillion. [8]
It very much remains in use today, and with local youth sides Waltham Wolves [9] and AFC Swanmore using the facilities. The ground is also home to Swanmore Cricket Club. [10]
Swanmore had many fine players during their long history. Former Southampton player Cliff Huxford was co-manager during their final campaign. [11]
Swanmore enjoyed a healthy local rivalry with a number of clubs from within the Meon Valley area. Neighbours Bishops Waltham Town were regarded at their main rivals. Nursling
