Sway F.C.

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Sway F.C.
Full nameSway Football Club
Founded1908
GroundJubilee Field
Capacity1,000
ChairmanPaul Briers
ManagerIan Hugglestone
LeagueHampshire Premier League Division 1
Website https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/swayfootballclub/

Sway are a long running amateur football club based in Sway, a New Forest village in Hampshire, England.

Contents

A fully accredited club, they are affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association and run 13 sides at various age categories, from Under 7's through to the Men's 1st Team who play in the Hampshire Premier League.

History

Sway FC were founded in 1908 and spent their early days playing friendly fixtures before joining the New Forest League. [1]

The club played at the Memorial Ground at Pitmore Lane and progressed on to the Bournemouth League, where they enjoyed plenty of success. [2]

In 1969 Sway were elected to the Hampshire League Division 3 West, but frequently struggled and after twice finishing bottom they were relegated in 1975. [3]

Back in the Bournemouth League, Sway returned to form and in 1977 they completed the treble after winning the league title, Bournemouth Senior Cup and the Pickford Cup at Dean Court, Bournemouth. [4]

These successes saw a return to the county league, and this time they were better prepared; winning two promotions to a competitive Division 2 where they did well to consolidate until relegation in 1990. [5]

Back in the Bournemouth League, Sway enjoyed mixed fortunes but the move to the Jubilee Sports Field in 2005 sparked a revival with successive titles being won in 2007 and 2008. [6]

Further title successes resulted in promotion to the Hampshire Premier League Division 1 in 2015, progressing up to the Senior Division two years later. The club have since consolidated themselves at this level and twice won the League Cup.

The Junior section (established in 1988) has continued to grow with more sides frequently being added, including a girls team.

Honours

League career

Ground

Sway play at Jubilee Field, Station Road, Sway, SO41 6BE. The venue has a stand and a permanent pitch barrier. The club are planning to install floodlights so that they are eligible for promotion. [7]

The Memorial Ground is still used by Sway Juniors and the Cricket Club.

Notable former players

Sam Vokes and Josh McQuoid both played for Sway Juniors in the nineties before turning professional. [8]

Local rivalries

Sway enjoyed a healthy rivalry with number of New Forest clubs. Bashly, Brockenhurst, Lymington Town, [9] New Milton and Lyndhurst regarded as their main rivals.

Print

Sway FC 75th Anniversary 1908–84 by Les Castle

References

  1. ↑ "The History of Sway FC". Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887-1987 by Norman Gannaway
  3. ↑ A History of the Hampshire League 1896-1996 by Norman Gannaway
  4. ↑ A History of Bournemouth Football Association & League 1920-95 by Norman Gannaway
  5. ↑ A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
  6. ↑ "Sway restore Premier pride". 15 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "Football pitch floodlights refused 'after divisive reaction from community'". 23 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "Football: Former Cherries star Sam backs calls to save youth pitches". 10 March 2012.
  9. ↑ A History of Lymington Town Football Club 1876-1984 by Norman Gannaway
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