| Full name | West End Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1950 | ||
| Dissolved | 1997 | ||
| Ground | Moorgreen Recreation Ground, West End | ||
West End Football Club were a long running amateur football club based in West End, Hampshire a village and parish in the borough of Eastleigh on the east of the city of Southampton.
West End F.C. were formed in 1950 and entered the Meon Valley League, initially playing at Hatch Grange.
In 1955 they took up residence at Moorgreen Recreation Ground, and began their long association with the Southampton League. The club got off to a great start, winning the Junior Eastern Division in their debut season and by 1962, had progressed to the Senior section. [1]
In 1975, West End won the Senior Division 1 title to take their place in the highly competitive Premier Division for the first time. The club quickly found their feet and became regular title contenders, backed up by a successful Reserve side who clinched successive titles to join them in the Senior section.
After several near misses, West End were finally league champions in 1982. In what was a memorable campaign, they also reached the Southampton Senior Cup final at The Dell, Southampton, but lost 1-4 against a strong AFC Totton side. [2]
West End remained a force in the top-flight and finished runners-up on three occasions before winning the title again in 1996. The was another memorable season, after they won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup - beating Bisterne United 4-1 in the final, which was played at The Camrose Ground in Basingstoke . [3]
Unfortunately, despite these successes West End were unable to apply for promotion after they were forced to vacate their traditional Moorgreen home.
This saw them relocate to Cutbush Lane, but despite another steady season, things were never quite the same and the club made the decision to disband on a high note.
During their existence, the First Team had the unusual claim to fame of never being relegated. The club had also gained a fine reputation for their sportsmanship. [4]
West End F.C. played at Moor Green Recreation Ground, West End, Southampton, SO30 3EG. [8]
The venue had a pavilion, with an enclosed pitch. In the Seventies, the club installed floodlights which enabled them to enter prestigious competitions such as the Russell Cotes Cup and the short lived Hampshire Floodlit League.
West End enjoyed a long running rivalry with a number of clubs, most notably with neighbours Fair Oak and Bishopstoke.
West End had many fine players during their existence. The former Southampton manager Ted Bates was Club President.
There have since been a number of successor West End teams, but despite being relatively successful they have all been short lived ventures.
