The History of Stoke City Football Club

Formed in 1863 by the former pupils of the Charterhouse school, Stoke City is the second oldest league club in the World. Prior to 1875 Stoke City FC played on Sweetings Field, which was a strip of land owned by Alderman Sweeting (at the time the Lord Mayor of Stoke). In March 1878 they merged with Stoke Victoria Athletic Club when matches were played on Victoria’s oval shaped ground, the home of the famous Boothen end stand. Stoke's first game at the Victoria Ground was a friendly against Talke Rangers on 28th March 1878, you’ll be pleased to know that Stoke won 1-0 .

Stoke becamr a professional football club in 1885 and 3 years later they were one of only 12 clubs who formed the 'Football League'. Stoke played their first ever Football League game against West Brom on 8th September 1888 infront of a crowd of about 4,500. Unfortunately, Stoke ended that first year in last place, were relegated from the League and replaced by Sunderland. However the number of League teams was soon increased to 14 allowing Stoke to re-enter the top-flight

Stokes fortunes changed as they were relegated from various divisions. However, after the First World War things began to improve, and by 1923, the now Stoke City 1923 won the Third Division championship. By 1933 they were Champions of Division Two, which meant a return to top-flight football once again

During the Second World War the Football League was temporarily suspended until 1946. In the first full season after the end of the war Stoke came back with a vengeance, narrowly missing out on the First Division crown to Liverpool. For several years after Stoke failed to match this success and by 1953 were once again relegated.

By the early 60’s things were not looking good for the Potters with further relegation looming. The newly appointed manager, Tony Waddington re-signed the legendary Stanley Matthews from Blackpool, aged an incredible 46. By 1963 Stoke took the Second Division Championship to re-enter the First Division after an absence of ten years. In their first season Stoke were beaten finalists in the League Cup, narrowly loosing out to Leicester City.

The early seventies saw Stoke enter one of their most successful eras ever, they reached the FA Cup semis and won the League Cup in 1972, beating Chelsea 2-1, their first major trophy for nearly 110 years. Unfortunately this good fortune was not to last, when in 1977 Stoke were relegated to the Second Division.

Further disasters struck when during a storm, the roof of the Butler Street Stand was severely damaged forcing the club to sell some of their key players. Soon after, Stoke stalwart, Tony Waddington was sacked after an incredible 17 years at the club.

Stoke then went on a downward spiral and went nearer to the foot of Division Two. Half way through the 1977-78 season Alan Durban was appointed new manager and things began to look up, just one year later Stoke were promoted back into the First Division. But following years saw Stoke fighting for thier place in the First Division. In the 1984-85 season, Stoke suffered a really terrible run of matches, winning just 3 games out of 46 league and Cup matches. Stoke finished the season with 17 points, their worst ever total. In the 1984-85 season, new Stoke manager Mick Mills arrived.

In 1989 the club was once more on the way down, Mick Mills was eventually sacked, being replaced by Alan Ball. Stoke dropped into the Third Division. Things got no better and when Lou Macari replaced Alan Ball, Stoke reached their lowest league position ever (14th in the 3rd Division).

In Lou Macari's first season he took Stoke to the Third Division play-offs, only to be beaten by Stockport County. The following season, 1992-93, with the formation of the Premier Division, saw Stoke in the newly formed Division Two, and Stoke ran away with the title.

With Stoke back in Division One Lou Macari left to manage Celtic. He was replaced by Joe Jordan but just after a year Lou Macari had left, he was back in charge at Stoke.

With Lou's return Stoke reached the play-offs losing to Leicester City in the semi-final after a 1-0 defeat at the Victoria ground. Stoke's last season at the Victoria Ground failed to build on the previous season's form, ending in a mid-table position. On May 4, 1997 after 119 years at the Victoria Ground, Stoke played their final match against West Brom, before moving in the summer to the new purpose-built Britannia Stadium. But performances on the pitch did not match the impressive new stadium and for the 1998/99 season the club was relegated to Division Two.

Optimism returned to the Potteries with the appointment of Brian Little as manager and the team made a magnificent start to the season, winning the first six league games which is a club record. But in the second half of the season when wrong when Stoke's terrible form saw them sink to eighth by the end of the season.

Rumours were about that Brian Little would quit but it wasn't until he returned from holiday - five weeks into the close season - that he finally announced his decision to walk. Stoke took a month to finally unearth his replacement, unveiling former Stockport, Blackpool and Norwich manager Gary Megson .

Former Port Vale manager John Rudge joined soon afterwards and was given the title of football executive to oversee all aspects of Stoke City football club.

In November 1999 an Icelandic consortium brought a 66% share in Stoke City fc for £6.6 million which brought an end to Peter Coates and Kieth Humphreys gruesome reign of Stoke City for 14th years. Gary Megson had done a heroic job in change of the team with no money to spend but unfortunately was a causality of the Icelandic takeover, this sadden some fans but they were soon won over by the Icelandic consortium.

In the 1999/00 season Stoke City put together a string of good results reached the playoffs, in the first round the game was against Gillingham. Stoke went into the second leg with a 3-2 lead but bad refereeing caused Stoke City to lose 5-3 on aggregate and spend another year in the hell they call the second division.

In April 2000 Stoke City had reached the Auto Windscreen final playing Bristol City in front of a sell out crowd of 75,000 people. Stoke won 2-1 with goals by Peter Thorne and Graham Kavangh and a trophy was a help to long years of suffering the club has had.

Having gained promotion from the English Football League Championship in 2007/2008 Stoke City now play in the English Premiership.

2008/2009....good luck to the Potters in the Premiership!

Labels: Stoke City History

Hull City history

During their inaugural League season, Hull City wore wear black and amber striped shirts and black shorts, a trend they continued up until the Second World War with the exception of one season. The shirts were essentially the same design up to 1939 with just the colour of the shorts alternating between black and white over the seasons.
The shirt for the past three years has been voted on by the fans who have comprehensively chosen a plain amber design with stripes banished. The Club's new management are known to favour a plain design and it has been suggested that the sky blue element of 1930's and 1940's may return in the away strip. This may be a welcome relief for fans after the burgundy, purple, claret and blue away shirts of recent years.

Labels: Hull City history

West Bromwich FC

West Bromwich FC Information

Address: The Hawthorns, WEST BROMWICH. B71 4LF Telephone: (0121) 525 8888 Fax: (0121) 553 6634 Founded: 1878 Stadium: The Hawthorns Noticias del West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich FC History

West Bromwich Albion Football Club is an English football club formed by workers from Salter's Spring Works in West Bromwich, West Midlands in 1878.

This famous football club was one of the original founder members of the English Football League. Although not as fashionable as some other English football teams, over the years 'The Albion' has made a great contribution to football. It was the first English team to play in Russia and then a couple of decades later the first English team to play in China. During the Chinese tour, one player was asked what he thought of the Great Wall, his famous reply was "You've seen one wall, you've seen them all". Their original nickname,'The Throstles' originated because they had a thrush on their shirt badges. The more colloquial nickname and the more popular one is 'the Baggies'. There are several theories for how this name may have originated, a popular one being that the team wore unfashionably long shorts at one stage.

Inter-war and the championship (1919 - 1939)

The war-time diaspora of a promising young team did not stop individuals from remaining active footballers in charity matches, amateur teams and regional leagues. When normal competition resumed in 1919, the team was prepared and ready for the new start and achieved the club's only league title in 1920. However, subsequent seasons were a disappointment as Pennington retired and the side started to break up. The mediocity was only alleviated by a second place in the league in the season 1925/1925 when they were narrowly beaten to the title by Herbert Chapman's phenomenal Huddersfield Town F.C..

The year 1926 saw relegation to the second division. Ironically, relegation enabled an achievement which is, as of 2004, unique in English football. In 1931 the club won both the FA Cup and promotion back to the top flight. The club were only deprived of the second division championship by the goal-scoring exploits of Dixie Dean of Everton F.C..

Though the same players who had won promotion performed creditably in the first division during the 1930s, the death of Billy Bassett in 1937 marked the end of a footballing era. As the team again entered a period of reconstruction, Albion were relegated in 1938. With the 1939/1940 season only a few games old, World War II broke out and football was suspended.

Post-war renaissance (1945 - 1963)

Once normal league competition was resumed in 1946 (the 1945/46 season had been organised on a regional basis) Albion remained stuck in the Second Division. The turning point arrived with the retirement of Everiss in 1948. Unlike most other contemporary clubs, Albion had yet to implement the modern role of a coach or manager. Everiss was the club's principle commercial administrator and delivered the pre-match talk. The board selected the team. Kicking a football played no part in training which was for fitness alone. Albion's first modern manager was Jack Smith who took the team back to the First Division in 1949. As England emerged into an era of post-war prosperity, a talented new squad started to develop, marked by the arrival of Ronnie Allen in 1950, scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. on his home debut in front of a crowd of 60,000.

However, the board were frustrated by the lack of trophies and Smith was dismissed in 1952. Radically, Smith was replaced by Juventus coach Jesse Carver who introduced football into training. Though Carver was soon to be seduced back to Italy by S.S. Lazio, his eight months in charge were a defining moment for the club. His replacement, Vic Buckingham, recruited from the amateur leagues, inherited an intelligent well-co-ordinated team, playing a flowing syle of attacking football that he was to build upon. The season 1953/1954 saw Albion win the FA Cup and finish second in the league, behind Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., narrowly missing out on the first English double of the 20th century.

The next couple of seasons were, in football terms, an anticlimax for the club. However, they also saw the arrival of players Don Howe, Derek Kevan and Bobby Robson. From 1957 to 1961, the team played an attractive, imaginative and stylish brand of attacking football that never quite materialised into a trophy. In the season 1957/1958, Allen, Kevan and Robson scored 78 goals between them. With Buckingham's departure to Ajax in 1959, the club saw another decline, Jimmy Hagan being recruited to arrest the slide in 1963.

Astle and after (1964 - 1977)

September 1964 saw the arrival of striker Jeff Astle from Notts County F.C.. Over the next decade, Astle was to become the club's most iconic player ever. The club was already feeling the dramatic social changes of the 1960s, tangibly through falling attendancies and the end of the players' maximum wage. Hagan was, despite the spirit of the times, a martinet on the training ground and frequently bred conflict with a playing squad beginning to enjoy the decade's economic and social freedoms. However, he shrewdly built the team in personnel and skill, leading them to a League Cup triumph in 1966.

The following season was a hollow disappointment with Albion losing in the final of the League Cup to Third Division Queens Park Rangers F.C., making an early exit from their first European campaign and struggling to maintain their place in the First Division. Had Hagan had more friends at the Hawthorns, he might have been given time to fix the problems but, in 1967, he was replaced by Alan Ashman. Ashman led Albion to FA Cup victory in 1968, Astle becoming the first player to score in every round, but subsequently, despite some exciting cup runs, the manager could not deliver the trophies the club craved.

Don Howe seemed the perfect replacement for Ashman when he arrived as manager in 1971. A former Albion player, he had just coached Arsenal FC to their league and cup double and was regarded as one of the games foremost theoreticians. However, theory proved no match for practice, the club being relegated to the Second Division in 1973. Failure to achieve promotion back the following season and the departure of Astle in 1974 seemed to presage a gloomy future. Fortuitiously, Albion was gifted by the short leaderships of Johnny Giles and Ronnie Allen who began the work of rebuilding the team. Sadly, the club was insuffucently ambitious and prescient to work hard at securing either's long term-services.

The Atkinson era (1978 - 1981)

When unknown young manager Ron Atkinson arrived at the club in 1978, he inherited a team that already included youth-team graduate Bryan Robson and the young, gifted and black pair of Laurie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis, both acquired inexpensively from lower divisions.

Aware that he had the makings of a great team, he augmented it by bringing Brendan Batson from his former club Cambridge United F.C.. Never before had an English team simultaneously fielded three black players and the Three Degrees, as they became known in reference to the contemporary vocal trio of the same name, challenged the established racism of English football and marked a watershed that allowed a generation of footballers to enter the game who would previously have been excluded by their ethnic background.

Atkinson's team played some of the most exciting football in England during his term at the club but, as early as 1978, the board allowed the playing talent to start slipping away, Cunningham's move to Real Madrid marking the start of the trend. The club managed 3rd and 4th places in the First Division and, more than once, reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup but trophies narrowly eluded them.

Following the tragic death of director Tom Silk in a plane crash, the club fell again under the conservative leadership of Bert Millichip and Atkinson, despairing of the support he needed to build and maintain a winning team, took the vacant manager's post at Manchester United F.C. in the summer of 1981.

Decline and fall (1982 - 1999)

Ronnie Allen returned to The Hawthorns in the summer of 1981, a surprise choice to replace Atkinson. Immediately he was encouraged by the board to sell two of his prize assets, Bryan Robson and Remi Moses, who departed for Manchester United in a new British transfer record deal of ฃ2.5m. Their replacements were Martin Jol and Andy King, and for a while, things looked rosy, as Albion reached the semi-finals of both domestic cups. However, the usual post-Christmas slump saw the side needing to win its final home game, against Leeds United, to stop up. The game was won 2-0, and Leeds were relegated instead. At the end of the season, Allen was 'kicked upstairs' and Coventry City coach Ron Wylie took over. He stopped the slide, for a while, but a falling out between his head coach, Mick Kelly, and his players, led to his resignation in 1985. In came the 'A Team' - Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter and Nobby Stiles. They reversed the sinking trend in the 1983-84 season - although, disastrously, they lost their first game, at home to Third Division Plymouth, in the FA Cup - and things improved the following year.

The seeds of collapse were being sown however. Financial difficulties at the club forced Giles to sell Cyrille Regis to lighten the wage bill. Other players followed for the same reason and were generally inadequately replaced. By October 1985, it was looking grim for the club and Giles was replaced by his assistant Nobby Stiles. Stiles lasted only a few months before being replaced by Ron Saunders. By this time, Albion were finished, bottom of the table and certain to be relegated.

Saunders was instructed to cut costs so the club could survive in Division 2. As a result, he sold off all of the experienced Division 1 players and replaced them with players from Divisions 2 and 3. This was a disastrous policy, and Albion soon found themselves struggling to avoid relegation from Division 2. These poor results, combined with the unattractive style of football that Saunders favoured, meant that another managerial change was not far away.

Atkinson returned to Albion in the summer of 1987 and halfway through his second season at the club they led the Second Division table, looking all set from promotion. But Atkinson was lured away to Athletico Madrid and his successor Brian Talbot was unable to secure even a playoff place in the final table. And from then on things went from bad to worse, and Talbot was dismissed in January 1991 after Albion lost 4-2 at home to non league Woking in the F.A Cup Third Round. He was replaced by Bobby Gould, who three seasons earlier had won the F.A Cup with Wimbledon, but the managerial change was not enough to prevent Albion from being relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history. After Albion failed to qualify for the Third Division playoffs in 1991-92, Gould moved to Coventry City and was replaced by the former Swindon Town and Newcastle United manager Osvaldo Ardiles.

Ardiles was in charge at Albion for one season before becoming manager of Tottenham, but he guided them to victory over Port Vale in the 1992-93 playoff final of the new Division Two.

Albion turned to the former Tottenham manager Keith Burkenshaw as replacement for Ardiles. He had won the F.A Cup two years in a row with Tottenham in the early 1980's but his spell at the Hawthorns was a huge disappointment. Albion only survived relegation back to Division Two at the end of 1993-94 because they had scored more goals than their nearest rivals, Birmingham City. Burkenshaw was sacked soon after that, and replaced by the Grimsby manager Alan Buckley.

Under Alan Buckley, Albion's league form was consistently well below average - but just enough to keep them safe from relegation. In October 1995 they were second in Division One and hopeful of automatic promotion. But then came a drastic loss of form over the next 14 games which saw them lose 13 games, draw one and win none. One point out of a possible 42. They looked set to be relegated to Division Two, but a big improvement in form during the final four months of the 1995-96 season saw them climb to mid table. It was also the first time in seven years that they had finished lower than their deadly rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers (who finished 20th).

Buckley was sacked in January 1997 and replaced by Ray Harford. Harford had previously been manager or assistant manager of Fulham, Luton Town, Wimbledon and Blackburn Rovers. He had won the League Cup while manager of Luton Town, and was assistant manager of the Blackburn side which won the 1995 Premiership title. But he failed to mount a promotion challenge at the Hawthorns and after less than a year in charge moved to QPR, making way for Dennis Smith.

Smith, a former manager of York City, Sunderland and Oxford United, helped Albion avoid the drop two seasons in a row but it was not enough for the Albion board and he was sacked in the summer of 1999. They appointed Brian Little as manager. Little had achieved promotion success with Darlington (twice) and Leicester City (once) as well as winning the League Cup with Aston Villa. But he was sacked the following March with Albion in real danger of relegation.

The Megson era (2000 - 2004)

Gary Megson was named as the new West Bromwich Albion manager in March 2000. He had previously been in charge at Norwich City, Blackpool, Stockport County and Stoke City, but had never achieved any real success. Many Albion fans were disappointed with the new chairman Paul Thompson because they wanted a more proven manager.

Megson's first objective was to keep Albion in Division One. A last-day win over champions Charlton Athletic meant that Albion were safe and their neighbours Walsall would be going down to Division Two. Megson then rejuvenated the side by discarding several players and bringing in a host of new signings. The transition paid off in 2000-01, when Albion qualified for the Division One promotion playoffs - their highest league finish since relegation in 1986. They lost to eventual winners Bolton Wanderers in the playoff semi finals but the fans had plenty of hope for the 2001-02 season.

With 10 games to go before the end of the 2001-02 season, Albion were 10 points behind neighbours Wolves in the Division One table. But while Wolves lost five vital games during the run-in, Albion won seven out of 10 fixtures and secured automatic promotion on the final day of the season by beating Crystal Palace at home, while Wolves could only manage a draw away to Sheffield Wednesday.

But the promotion dream which came true quickly turned into a nightmare. Chairman Paul Thompson quit the club after falling out with manager Gary Megson and new owner Jeremy Peace was unable to provide adequate transfer funds. So Albion began the 2002-03 season without any significant new squad members. They lost their first three games of the Premiership campaign and then won three in a row to occupy eighth place in the table by mid September. This gave Albion fans hope of Premiership survival. But they only won three of their next 32 Premiership fixtures and were relegated in 19th place with just 26 points, which left them 18 points adrift of safety.

2003-04 saw Albion return to the Premiership as runners-up to Norwich City, and this time everyone involved with the club was hopeful of staying up this time round. But Albion won just one of their first 11 games of the 2004-05 Premiership campaign, and Gary Megson announced he would not be renewing his contract when it expired at the end of the season. The club's board reacted by immediately terminating the remainder of his contract, and they hired former player Bryan Robson as his replacement.

Before the 2004-05 season began, West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes - the club's top scorer in the promotion campaign - was jailed for six years after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. Nine months earlier, he had been speeding along a road near Coventry when his Mercedes was involved in a head-on collision with a Renault. Hughes and his passenger suffered minor injuries but one of the people travelled in the Renault was killed and three others were injured. Hughes fled the scene before turning himself in the next day.

As well as being sentenced to six years in prison (a sentence which he is currenly appealing to have reduced), Lee Hughes was also sacked by West Bromwich Albion. When he comes out of prison his chances of returning to top division football are slim. If he does make a return to professional football, it is likely to be in lower regions of the English football league system.

Bryan Robson began his footballing career with West Bromwich Albion in the 1970's and was a key player in their qualification for the 1980-81 UEFA Cup. He was then sold to Manchester United for a British record fee of ฃ1.5million in the autumn of 1981 and captained the club to a host of major trophies before becoming player manager of Middlesbrough in May 1994. In seven years at Middlesbrough, he had guided them to promotion to the Premiership twice and also to three cup finals, although they had failed to win any of them. Robson had also spent the final 28 games of the 2003-04 season at Bradford City but resigned after 20 defeats saw them relegated from Division One. The big question is: can he succeed at securing West Bromwich Albion's Premiership survival and establishing them in the top flight of English football? It remains to be seen.

Recent events (2004 - )

On November 9, 2004, the appointment of Bryan Robson as manager was announced. The club's board expects him to secure West Bromwich Albion's place in the Premiership and re-establish themself as a top division team, although his task will not be easy. The ultimate priority will be to sustain Premiership survival, although it will be a difficult task.

West Bromwich FC Honours, Trophies & Awards

Labels: West Bromwich FC History

Bolton Wanderers FC

Bolton Wanderers FC Information

Address: Reebok Stadium, Burnden Way, Lostock, BOLTON. BL6 6JW Telephone: (01204) 673673 Fax: (01204) 673773 Founded: 1874 Stadium: Reebok Stadium Noticias del Bolton Wanderers FC

Bolton Wanderers FC History

Bolton Wanderers F.C. is an English professional football club. It is currently in the FA Premier league. They play at the Reebok stadium, Bolton. The manager is Sam Allardyce. Bolton finished the 2003/2004 season in an unprecedented 8th place, consolidating their Premiership status.

Bolton are now currently in 6th place in the premierleague, optimistically hoping for a champions league place.

History

Bolton Wanderers was founded in 1874, originally named Christ Church FC. They were one of the original 12 founder members of the Football League. Having remained in the football since its formation, Bolton have spent more time in the top flight (Premier Division/old Division 1) than out of it. Fans favourites include Frank Worthington (scorer of the amazing over the head juggling goal, and author of the pleasantly titled autobiography 'One hump or two'...), John McGinlay (played a big part in Bolton's 1990's resurrection, scoring important goals against the likes of Liverpool, Wolves and Spurs), Sam Allardyce (as player and hugely successful manager) and, of course, the near legendary Lion of Vienna, Nat Lofthouse.

Bolton Wanderers have not won a trophy since 1958, when two Nat Lofthouse goals saw them overcome Manchester United in the F.A Cup final in front of a 100,000 crowd at Wembley. The closest they have come to winning a major trophy since then is finishing runners-up in the League Cup, first in 1995 and again in 2004.

At the end of the 1986-87 season, Bolton Wanderers suffered relegation to the Fourth Division for the first time in their history. But the board kept faith in manager Phil Neal and they won promotion back to the Third Division at the first attempt. Neal remained in charge until the summer of 1992 when he made way for Bruch Rioch, who a few years earlier had won two successive promotions with Middlesbrough.

Recent years

In 1992-93, Rioch's first season in charge, Bolton finished runners-up in the new Division Two and won automatic promotion to Division One. Two years later they reached the League Cup final for the first time, losing 2-1 to Liverpool. But a few weeks later they were back at Wembley for the Division One playoff final against Reading. After being 2–0 down at half time, two goals from Bolton in the final 15 minutes of the game forced extra time and they went on to win 4-3 and return to top division football after a 15-year exile.

Rioch left to take charge at Arsenal after the promotion success. He was replaced by Derby County manager Roy McFarland, who was joined by his former assistant Colin Todd. Bolton were bottom for virtually all of the 1995-96 Premiership campaign and despite several new signings, Bolton dismissed McFarland on New Year's Day 1996 and appointed Todd in his place. Todd was unable to save Bolton from relegation but they were promoted back to the Premiership at the first attempt thanks to a season in which they achieved 98 league points and 100 goals in the process of securing the Division One Championship.

Bolton were relegated on goal difference at the end of the 1997-98 Premiership campaign, going down to Division One with the previous season's other two promoted sides - Barnsley and Crystal Palace. Bolton reached the 1999 Division One playoff final but lost to Watford. Colin Todd resigned as manager soon after and was replaced by Notts County's Sam Allardyce.

1999-2000 brought disappointment for Bolton under their new manager, they lost in the semi finals of the Division One playoffs and the F.A Cup. But in 2000-01 Sam Allardyce and his team got it right by beating Preston North End 3-0 in the Division One playoff final.

Since then, Bolton Wanderers have preserved their Premiership place with 17th, 16th and 8th place finishes. In 2003-04, they reached another League Cup final but lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough.

Cup history

The Bolton Wanderers were the first team to win the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium, beating West Ham United 2-0 in 1923.

They also won the FA Cup in 1926, 1929, and 1958.

In 1993 the Bolton Wanderers beat FA Cup holders Liverpool 2-0 in a third round replay.

In 1994 Bolton Wanderers beat FA Cup holders Arsenal 3-1 in a fourth round replay.

Labels: Bolton Wanderers FC History

Fulham FC

Fulham FC Information

Address: Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road, Fulham, LONDON. SW6 6HH Telephone: (020) 7893 8383 Fax: (020) 7384 4715 Founded: 1879 Stadium: Craven Cottage Website: Noticias del Fulham FC

Fulham FC History

Fulham Football Club is a football team based in Fulham, London. Founded in 1879, they are celebrating their 125th anniversary in 2004, and they will be playing in the top tier of English football, the FA Premiership. Had it not been for the intervention of millionaire Mohammed Al-Fayed, they would still be languishing in the depths of the lower divisions of professional football.
They spent much time in the Old First Division (=Premiership) through the 60s, but are yet to gain any major honours, their only FA Cup Final appearance being in 1975. They are currently playing at Craven Cottage, a beautiful riverside ground in Fulham, having spent two years at Loftus Road, with a still uncertain future. See more on this topic in the Grounds subsection of this article. They are currently looking for no more than a respectable finish in their 20-team league, although relegation is at the back of their mind.

Fulham also has a ladies team, Fulham LFC. Both the men's and women's team train at the club's ground near Motspur Park.

Fulham FC Honours, Trophies & Awards

Labels: Fulham FC History

Newcastle United FC

Newcastle United FC Information

Address: St. James' Park, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. NE1 4ST Telephone: (0191) 201 8400 Fax: (0191) 201 8600 Founded: 1881 Stadium: St. James' Park Noticias del Newcastle United FC

Newcastle United FC History

Newcastle United is an English professional football team based in Newcastle upon Tyne, nicknamed "the Magpies". Newcastle United supporters are known as the 'Toon Army'. The club currently plays in the FA Premier League.

1881-1939

During November 1881, the Stanley Cricket Club of South Byker decided to form an Association Football club. They won their first match 5-0 against Elswick Leather Works 2nd XI. Just under a year later, in October 1882, they changed their name to East End FC to avoid confusion with the cricket club in the town of Stanley, Co.Durham. Shortly after this, another Byker side, Rosewood FC, merged with East End to form an even stronger side. Meanwhile, across the city, another cricket club began to take an interest in football and in August 1882, they formed West End FC. West End played their early football on their cricket pitch, but later moved to St. James' Park.

West End soon became the city's premier club. East End were anxious not to be left behind and lured Watson into becoming their chief in the close season of 1888 and from that point, never looked back; Watson made several good signings, especially from Scotland, and the Heaton club went from strength to strength, while West End's fortunes slipped dramatically.

The region's first league competition was formed in 1889 and the FA Cup began to cause interest. Ambitious East End turned professional in 1889, a huge step for a local club, and in March 1890, they made an even more adventurous move by becoming a limited company with capital of 1,000 pounds in ten shilling notes. During the spring of 1892, in a season during which their results were at an all time low, and in which they had lost to their bitter rivals, East End, five times, West End found themselves in serious trouble. They approached East End with a view to a take over, the directors having decided that the club could no longer continue.

What actually happened was that West End wound up, while some of its players and most of its backroom staff joined East End. East End also took over the lease on St. James' Park. By December 1892, they decided to give the club a new name and a new image. At a public meeting, several new names, including Newcastle Rangers and Newcastle City, were suggested, before all agreed on Newcastle United. The FA agreed to the name change on 22nd December, but the new title was not legalised until 6 September 1895, when Newcastle United Football Club Co. Ltd. was constituted.

United then developed a side which became Edwardian England's master outfit, but not before the Tynesiders went through a worrying period due to lack of support at the turnstile and lack of money at the bank. But through the help of their directors the club was propped up and they survived to become a force in the game.

Newcastle started to purchase talented players, especially from Scotland, and soon had a squad to rival all of England. With players like Colin Veitch, Jackie Rutherford, Jimmy Lawrence and Albert Shepherd, the Black'n'Whites had a team of international talent. There was Bill McCracken, Jimmy Howie, Peter McWilliam and Andy Aitken too. All were household names in their day. However, in 1908 they faced the humiliation of a 9:1 home defeat to local rivals Sunderland, still the record English home defeat to this day.

The Magpies lifted the League Championship on three occasions and reached five FA Cup finals in the years leading up to World War I in 1914. Geordie fans had enjoyed ten years of being the team everyone wanted to topple. United played a style of football celebrated in the game's history. It was possession football in an entertaining, rousing fashion.

After World War One, the Twenties was just as eventful. The Black'n'Whites lifted the FA Cup at Wembley in 1924 defeating Aston Villa - only the second ever final to be staged at the famous stadium. And a record signing of Scottish international centre-forward Hughie Gallacher made sure United collected another Championship trophy three years later in 1927.

Famous names continued to pull on the Newcastle striped shirt. Apart from the legendary Gallacher, the Magpies fielded the likes of Neil Harris, Stan Seymour and Frank Hudspeth. Seymour was to become an influential figure for the next 40 years as player, manager and director.

It was back to Wembley in 1932 to compete in the infamous 'Over the Line' FA Cup final with Arsenal, whereby United won with a goal that should clearly never have been allowed. United won the game 2-1 after scoring a goal following a cross from Jimmy Richardson which was hit from out of play - over the line. There were no action replays then and the referee allowed the goal, a controversial talking point in FA Cup history.

Newcastle boasted master players like Sammy Weaver and Jack Allen, as well as the first player-manager in the top division in Scottish international Andy Cunningham. But after glory at the Twin Towers of Wembley, Newcastle's form slumped and by 1934 they had been relegated for the first time in their history.

Amazingly in the same season as they fell into the Second Division, United defeated Liverpool 9-2 and Everton 7-3 within the space of a week! A rebuilding process took place in the years leading up to the Second World War and by that time former star winger Stan Seymour had been appointed to the Board of Directors. A determined character, he set the foundations of United's next great period.

1945-1979

Former star winger Stan Seymour had been appointed to the Board of Directors just before the outbreak of World War II. A determined character, he set the foundations of United's next great period.

By the time peace was restored in 1945, Seymour was at the forefront of affairs, manager in all but name. He ensured that the Magpies possessed an entertaining eleven full of stars, a mix of home-grown talent like Jackie Milburn, Bobby Cowell and Ernie Taylor, as well as big signings in the shape of George Robledo, Bobby Mitchell, Joe Harvey, Len Shackleton and Frank Brennan.

Newcastle returned to the First Division in double quick time. Promotion was achieved in 1948 in front of vast crowds. An average of almost 57,000 at every home game saw United's fixtures that year, a national record for years to come. That was just the start of another period of success.

During the Fifties decade United lifted the FA Cup trophy on three occasions within a five year period. In 1951 they defeated Blackpool 2-0, a year later Arsenal were beaten 1-0 and in 1955 United crushed Manchester City 3-1. The Magpies were known in every corner of the country, and so were their players; 'Wor Jackie' Milburn and Bobby 'Dazzler' Mitchell the pick of a side that was renowned the nation over.

Despite having quality players throughout the era, stars like Ivor Allchurch, George Eastham and Len White during the latter years of the decade, United slipped from the First Division in 1961 under the controversial management of ex Manchester United star, Charlie Mitten. It was a huge blow to the club.

An old war-horse returned to revitalise the Magpies in the shape of Joe Harvey who had skippered the club to much of their post-war success. He teamed up with Stan Seymour to rebuild United and the Black'n'Whites returned to the elite as Second Division Champions in 1965. United then became very much an unpredictable side, always capable of defeating the best, but never quite realising their huge potential until very recently.

Joe Harvey's side qualified for Europe for the first time in 1968 and stunned everyone the following year by lifting the Inter Cities Fairs Cup; the forerunner of the UEFA Cup. United possessed a solid eleven and Newcastle's tradition of fielding a famous Number 9 at centre-forward since earliest years continued as big Welshman Wyn Davies was prominent alongwith the likes of Bryan "Pop" Robson, Bobby Moncur and Frank Clark.

In the years that followed European success, manager Harvey brought in a string of talented entertainers who thrilled the Gallowgate crowd. Pleasers like Jimmy Smith, Tony Green and Terry Hibbitt. And especially a new centre-forward by the name of Malcolm Macdonald.

Nicknamed 'Supermac', Macdonald was one of United's greatest hero figures. Brash, arrogant and devastating in front of goal, he led United's attack to Wembley twice, in 1974 and 1976, against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the League Cup. But on each occasion the Magpies failed to bring the trophy back to Tyneside.

1980-1992

At the start of the 1980s, United had declined dramatically and were languishing in the Second Division. Gordon Lee had replaced Harvey as boss, yet he in turn soon gave way to Richard Dinnis and then Bill McGarry. But it was Arthur Cox who steered United back again to the First Division with ex England skipper Kevin Keegan the focus of the side, having joined the Magpies in a sensational deal in 1982.

The football inspired by Keegan captivated Tyneside and United stormed into the top division in a style only bettered by Kevin's own brand of football as a manager in the next decade. Alongside Keegan were youngsters Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, as well as seasoned campaigners like Terry McDermott and David McCreery.

One of English footballs greatest talents, Paul Gascoigne or 'Gazza', emerged as a youngster at the club during this period, under manager Jack Charlton (who later went on to take Republic of Ireland to two World Cup finals). Newcastle consolidated their place in Division One but then a period of selling their best players (Beardsley to Liverpool, and Waddle and Gazza both to Tottenham), rocked the club and led to supporter unrest, as did a share-war for control of the boardroom.

The Magpies tumbled back into the Second Division and over the next few seasons found themselves in a perilous state. They had little money, star players headed south and crowds dwindled. Several managerial changes took place - Jim Smith and Ossie Ardiles could not stop the rot. With the club hovering on the brink of a further, potentially catastrophic, relegation Newcastle United needed a saviour. They not only found one, but two, as Sir John Hall and Kevin Keegan joined forces to salvage Newcastle's reputation.

1992 - 1997 (The Keegan Years)

When Kevin Keegan returned to Tyneside to replace Ossie Ardiles as manager on a short term contract in 1992, taking what he claimed to be the only job that could tempt him back into football, United were struggling at the wrong end of Division Two. Sir John Hall had all but taken control of the club and he needed a minor miracle to stop the Magpies from tumbling into the Third Division for the first time in their history.

If Sir John was to transform the near bankrupt club they simply had to survive relegation. Just as before, Keegan's mere presence captivated the region. United's disgruntled supporters became excited, expectant ones over-night. They packed St James Park again and United survived in Division Two on the last day of the season. Hall now turned his attention to a masterplan to develop Newcastle United into one of the superclubs of Europe. Kevin Keegan stayed on as manager and both swung into action.

The club's finances were transformed; St James Park redeveloped into a stadium as good as any, now accommodating over 52,000. Keegan brought in new players, many international superstars. It was the start of a special five years under his guidance.

Spearheaded by the prolific striker Andy Cole and David Kelly, who were ably supported by midfielders Paul Bracewell, Ruel Fox, Gavin Peacock and Rob Lee, and Brian 'Killer' Kilcline (a tough free transfer defender who Keegan later claimed was his best signing) Newcastle secured promotion to the Premier League and then won the First Division Championship, often simply overwhelming opponents along the way (a 7-1 victory over Leicester City being particularly memorable). The Magpies joined the elite for the 1993-94 season and United very quickly became recognised as a serious force, claiming two second place spots and just missing out on the title over the next few seasons.

Sir John Hall's millions allowed the club to invest heavily in players, and United's squad became a virtual all international one, containing players from across the globe. Exotic foreign players like David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla, and British stars like the popular and effective veteran Peter Beardsley, striker Les Ferdinand, and later Alan Shearer brought glamour and excitement back to the North East.

The first team built up a reputation for playing an attacking, almost cavalier, brand of football under Keegan - their occasionally leaky defence was not a major problem, as the team could almost always score more than they conceded. By Christmas of the 1995 season, Newcastle had built up a seemingly unassailable 15 point lead in the Premier League. Unfortunately this lead proved less secure then Newcastle's supporters, and Keegan himself, had hoped.

Manchester United won the league by four points in the season of 1995/96. The 'mind games' of Manchester's manager Alex Ferguson (who provoked an infamous live-on-tv rant from Keegan), that teams impressive post-christmas form, or the alteration of Newcastle's direct attacking playing style, and of personel, that was required to accomodate the mercurial, somewhat unpredictable Asprilla have all been blamed by supporters to explain the devastating capitulation that occured that season. A more likely explanation is that their lack of defensive nous, coupled with occasional losses in winable games, proved to be their undoing over the full season.

The points lead that Newcastle United enjoyed at Christmas 1995 was one of the largest to be surrendered by any team in the Premiership, and Newcastle never quite looked the same threat again, although they continued to perform, finishing second again the following season. However a lack of success in English and European cup competitions meant that the clubs long long wait for a trophy did not end under Keegan.

Controversy surrounded the club in 1996 when two board members, Douglas Hall, son of Chairman Sir John Hall, and Freddie Shepherd made a series of remarks to an undercover tabloid journalist. They ridiculed Alan Shearer, called the supporters "stupid" for paying through the nose for the cheap shirts they like wearing, and stated that they preferred to do their whoring abroad because the women of Newcastle "are all dogs". Almost unbelievably, Shepherd subsequently became Chairman!

Keegan's resignation in January 1997 came unexpectedly on the heels of a 5-0 victory for his club, although fans felt it had been brewing for some time.

1997 - 2004 (Post Keegan, & Sir Bobby Robson)

Keegan's replacement as manager was Kenny Dalglish, who it was felt would help solidify the team defensively. In their first season under his guidance Newcastle entered the Champions League, and reached the FA Cup final only to fall to a defeat by Arsenal. However, Dalglish's cautious brand of football proved unpopular with supporters used to Newcastle's previous swashbuckling style; more importantly this style was not producing results. Several unsuccessful transfer deals along with a poor start to the 1998 / 1999 season led to Dalglish being sacked.

Ruud Gullit, a trophy winning manager with Chelsea a few years previously, was put in charge promising to bring back 'sexy football' to Newcastle. The team again started promisingly, and reached the FA Cup final that season. Unfortunately this time around they were to lose to Manchester United. Gullit also made some high profile mistakes in the transfer market (notably, Spanish defender Marcelinho and forward Silvio Maric bore the brunt of supporters frustrations). Less forgivably, he also fell out with several senior players, including Alan Shearer, and the club captain Rob Lee, who had been the heartbeat of the team for the previous half decade. A humiliating loss to arch-rivals Sunderland, and a dreadful start to the 1999 / 00 season prompted his resignation.

Veteran ex-England manager, and local boy, Sir Bobby Robson was brought in to replace Gullit. His first job, unthinkable a few years previously, was to ensure Newcastles survival in the Premiership. This was acheived, at the expense of stylish football, but with Lee and Shearer back onside. Over the next few seasons Robson built up an exciting young squad. Players such as Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert ensured the team were capable of once again punching their weight in the league. An unlikely Championship challenge almost emerged in the last few weeks of the 2002/2003 season, and Newcastle acheived qualification for the lucrative Champions league.

The 2003/2004 season was a particularly colourful one for Newcastle on the European stage. In the first group stage, Newcastle lost their first three matches in a row, then, in an astonishing reversal, shocked Italian giants Juventus 1-0 at St James' Park. They then controversially beat Dinamo Kiev 2-1 in Newcastle before winning the crucial last match 3-2 in injury time, with striker Craig Bellamy scoring the injury time winner. With Dinamo Kiev losing at home to Juventus, Newcastle progressed to the second round.

That same striker Craig Bellamy was later involved in a on-pitch brawl with Internazionale defender Marco Materazzi. Bellamy was sent off, and was punished further by a three-match ban. Compounding the disaster for Newcastle was the suspension of influential captain Alan Shearer for a similar incident, although the punishment was just a two-match ban. Newcastle went on to lose 1-4 at home.

Shearer returned in the fourth game in the 4-team group, scoring all three goals in a 3-1 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen at home. This broke his Champions League duck.

Despite a superb performance against Internazionale in the famous San Siro, only to draw 2-2, Newcastle lost at home 2-0 to Barcelona and dropped out of the Champions League. Internazionale made the semi-finals and Barcelona the quarter-finals.

2004 - Present

After nearly five years in charge, Sir Bobby Robson was dismissed on August 30, 2004 following a poor start to the 2004-05 season and alleged discontent in the dressing room. A split had grown between Robson and the club owners when they had made a number of high-profile signings, apparently without consulting him - in particular that of Patrick Kluivert. He was further undermined by the clubs high profile, but futile, offer for Wayne Rooney who instead moved to Manchester United. Robson later stated his dismay at the tendency for overpaid young players to demand all the perks without proving themselves on the pitch. Events during the ensuing season, on and off the pitch have gone a long way to confirm Robson's assessment. Robson was later given a ฃ1 million severance payment.

Graeme Souness replaced Robson on September 13, two days after the Magpies' match against Souness' former club Blackburn Rovers. After initial good results the team is presently stuck in the bottom half of the table and opinions on Souness are mixed among fans.

Following a training ground spat Newcastle have been forced to let go one of their main assets Craig Bellamy while their dip in performance due to the absence of Shearer through injury has worried the fan base. Despite the heavy investment of the last ten years in high profile transfers and the benefit of Alan Shearer, Newcastle is conspicuous in having failed to secure a major title. There is also such a growing gap between teams like Newcastle and the top flight of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea that it is unlikely the club will succeed in the near future.

In November 2004 Club Chairman Freddy Shepherd again caused controversy, stating there was no debt owed by the 'elite' clubs of the Premiership to the rest of the FA - but with his own team underperforming this was somewhat ironic as well as inappropriate.

In April 2005, Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer came to blows during a Premiership match against Aston Villa. Described as 'the blackest day' by Freddie Shepherd, Lee Bowyer was fined six weeks wages (about ฃ200,000). Both players recieved playing bans by the FA. The event overshadowed the announcement that the injury prone Shearer had extended his contract for a further year for a ฃ4 Million fee.

Newcastle won the home leg of their UEFA cup Quarter final against Sporting CP but were comprehensively outplayed during the away match and lost 4 - 1, in the process suffering several injuries. They are due to play Manchester United in an FA cup semi final on Sunday April 17th in Cardiff - with their current position in the Premiership, winning the F.A. Cup now remains the clubs only chance to qualify for European Competition in 2005/6.

Labels: Newcastle United FC History

Middlesbrough FC

Middlesbrough FC Information

Address: Cellnet Riverside Stadium, MIDDLESBROUGH. TS3 6RS Telephone: (01642) 877 700 Fax: (01642) 877 840 Founded: 1875 Stadium: Cellnet Riverside Stadium Noticias del Middlesbrough FC

Middlesbrough FC History

Middlesbrough is a town in North-East England, with a resident population in 2001 of 134,855.

It is historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, but in 1974 became part of the new administrative county of Cleveland. In 1996 Cleveland was abolished, and Middlesbrough became a unitary authority, though it is still part of North Yorkshire for ceremonial purposes.

Unlike most English districts, its council is led by a directly-elected mayor, currently Ray Mallon. Mr Mallon was previously an officer in Cleveland Constabulary, and was noted for a zero-tolerance approach to crime.

Situated on the south bank of the River Tees, it became a town in 1830 as a result of industrial expansion connected with iron production and the growth of railways, including the development of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The Pease family of Cleveland, landowners with major iron interests, are seen as largely responsible for the explosion of Middlesbrough from little more than a hamlet into a fully-fledged town. It is still an industrial town, with chemicals, fertilizers, iron and steel as its main industries. The Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia was constructed by a Middlesbrough firm.

Middlesbrough has a large and comprehensive shopping district made up of several separate shopping centres, which include 'Cleveland Shopping Centre', 'Dundas Arcade' and 'Hill Street Shopping Centre'. The town's centre has been undergoing a makeover in recent years, with the addition of 'Spectra-txt', a 10 metre high interactive tower of metal and fibre-optics inspired by Blade Runner. 'Spectra-txt' allows the public to send an SMS (text) message to change the colours of the lights. Texting various codes, such as 'Chromapop' produce a display of changing colour lights.

The Premiership football team, Middlesbrough F.C., owned by local entrepreneur and Bulkhaul boss Steve Gibson (of Middlesbrough), is based on the outskirts of Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge is a famous piece of engineering, one of only three in Britain and the largest operational bridge of this kind in the world.

Captain James Cook was born in Marton, Middlesbrough, which is now close to Middlesbrough. Famous people from the town include comedian Bob Mortimer, film directors Ridley Scott and Tony Scott, musician Chris Rea, magician Paul Daniels, rugby player Rory Underwood, footballers Don Revie and Brian Clough, comedian Roy Chubby Brown, and actress Wendy Richards.

Labels: Middlesbrough FC History

Wigan Athletic history

In 1897 Wigan County was established as the first football team in Wigan. Playing in the Lancashire League they fielded a reasonably good side and were comfortable in the league. It should also be noted that W.C. were the first Association side to play at Springfield Park. After only three seasons County were in financial difficulty and were liquidated as a mistaken adventure.

The next attempt to build a successful team came under the name of Wigan United. Formed in 1901 they played in the Lancashire Combination league for two years before folding in 1904. Along with Scotland's World Cup Qualifier mayhem, United had their fair share of extraordinary events. In the Rawcliffe Cup United were to play the first round away to Stalybridge. Due to a waterlogged pitch the travelling side decided to withdraw prior to kick off, the referee did not agree so allowed the 'match' to go ahead. Stalybridge walked the ball down the pitch and placed it into the unguarded net, therefore winning the tie.

Wigan Town were next to take on the challenge of trying to stay afloat for more than three years, sadly this didn't happen. After the Towns departure many felt it was not to be, but thirteen years later...

Wigan Borough were formed in 1921. In doing so they became one of the founder members of the Football League Third Division (North). In the early days 'Boro performed surprisingly well, in the 1922-1923 season the lads notched up their best ever result, a resounding 9-1 win over Lincoln. Boro' were well on course for promotion, sadly a slide in results towards the close of the season left them in fifth spot. The best season of all was to be in 1928-1929 when they reached the Third Round Proper of the F.A. Cup, fate dealt a cruel blow by handing them a draw against the famous Sheffield Wednesday side at that time. Undeterred Boro' went down fighting with a respectable score line of 3-1. Carrying on in tradition Boro' were in money troubles after ten years, £806 was owing in wages to players, the star players were sold, but not even this brought in the cash to pay the players. Wigan Borough played their last league game on the 24th October 1931 against Wrexham United, the Race Course Ground side were victorious, 5-0. However the team made one more appearance to finish the seasons remaining reserve match. They won 2-1 at Southport, then folded.

Wigan Athletic are the last in the line of soccer teams in Wigan, founded in 1932 they had quite immense success nearly every season of their none league life, detailed in the honours list on the honours page. After 34 disappointments of not being voted in to the Football League their time finally came on Friday 2nd June 1978 after tying with Southport on 26 votes a-piece a re-vote was called, Latics were victorious, winning by 29 votes to 20. Wigan Athletic were the newest team in League Football entering into Division Four and Southport joined the none league circuit where they have stayed ever since.

The Latics have not fared too well as a league team winning promotion three times, in 1981-1982, 1996-1997 and 2002-2003. In 1992-1993 Wigan suffered relegation for the first time in their history, moving from the Second Division to the Third. Many a poor side graced the turf of Springfield Park, but in February 1995, Mr. Dave Whelan, owner of the JJB Sports chain purchsed the club from Stephen Gage and Nick Bitel. A series of impressive signings including the 'Three Amigos' scoop that shocked the world of football followed. Following this capture the Latics became favourites to be promoted, particularly after Jesus Seba's impressive start. Graham Barrow was leading the squad at this time, many say that Wigan played the most attractive football of all time during the beginning of 1995-1996. The league position was satisfactory, but mid-season, surprisingly they lost 6-2 at home to Mansfield Town, Isidro Diaz scoring a memorable overhead-kick, Barrow was sacked. Frank Lord took over as caretaker manager, in his first game Wigan won 4-0 (somewhat a turn-around on the previous weeks result) with Seba being reinstated to the team and celebrating by scoring two superb goals. Soon afterwards John Deehan was appointed manager, promotion being the main aim, he set about by promptly dropping Seba after his splendid performance for Frank Lord. Wigan played the most attractive football of all time during this 1995-1996 season. The bulk of it coming from Diaz and Martinez who had the ability to spray the ball to each other from any distance, control then turn in an instant. Wigan needed only one point from the final three games of the season to ensure a play-off place. They amassed zero points.

The 1996-1997 season was billed as the big one, and it was, the play sadly lost its high pace and excitement of the previous season though. Graeme Jones and Graham Lancashire were the most prolific strikeforce in the country for the opening month or so, then the latter was badly injured. The honus was to be on the boy Jones, by the end of the season he had a tally of 33 goals, the countries leading scorer, two ahead of Fowler and Ravanelli.

Currently Wigan Athletic reside at the impressive new JJB Stadium under the considerable finances of Dave Whelan. With Paul Jewell at the helm The Latics gained promotion to Division 1 on the 19th April 2003, amassing 100 points along the way and finishing 14 points ahead of the pack.

However the 2004/2005 Season has to be the most important in Latics short history. On May 8th 2005 a 3-1 win over Reading was enough to secure 2nd place in the Championship, and hence a place in football's elite: The Premier League.

Club Honours

Northern Premier League Champions: 1970-1971, 1974-1975

Northern Premier League Cup Winners: 1971-1972

Northern Premier Shield Winners: 1972-1973, 1973-1974, 1975-1976

Cheshire League Champions: 1933-1934, 1934-1935, 1935-1936, 1964-1965

Lancashire Combination Champions: 1947-1948, 1950-1951, 1952-1953, 1953-1954

Election to Football League: 1978

Promoted to Third Division (old): 1981-1982

Football Association Cup best: Round 6, 1986-1987

Football League Cup best: Final 1996

Freight Rover Trophy Winners (now AutoWind Shield): 1984-1985

Third Division Champions: 1996-1997

AutoWindshield Winners: 1999

Second Division Champions: 2002-2003

Championship Runners Up: 2004-2005

Promotion to Premier League: 2005

Club Records

Competition Results

Biggest win: 7-1 v. Scarborough 1996/1997 Division Three

Biggest win (non-league): 12-1 v. Congleton Town 1937/1938 Cheshire League

Biggest home loss: 0-5 v. Bristol Rovers (Div 3, 26th February 1983) and also versus Chelsea (FA Cup round 3 replay, 26th January 1985)

Biggest away loss (league): 6-1 v. Bristol Rovers (3rd March 1990)

Biggest loss (non-league): 0-8 v. Hyde United (1945-1946)

Longest unbeaten run (league): 21 games in the 1981-1982 season

Longest unbeaten run (non-league): 52 games from 15th September 1962 to 5th November 1966

Most wins in a season (non-league): 33 from 46 games in 1974-1975 (Northern Premier League)

Best FA Cup run: Round 6, 1986-1987

Best League Cup Run: Round 5, 2002-2003

Most Clean-Sheets in a season (League games only): 25 by John Filan 2002-2003

Highest points in a season: 100 in 2002-2003

Highest League Position: 10th in The Premier League, Season 2005-2006

Transfer Records

Largest transfer fee paid: £5.5M for Emile Heskey - Birmingham City 2006

Largest transfer fee recieved: £3M Nathan Ellington - West Brom 2005

Attendance Records

Largest attendance at The JJB Stadium: 25,004 v. Arsenal (Premier League) Saturday 19th November 2005

Largest attendance at Springfield Park (Wigan Borough): 30,611 v. Sheffield Wednesday (FA Cup 1928-29)

Largest attendance at Springfield Park (Wigan Athletic): 27,526 v. Hereford (FA Cup 1953-54)...This is still the largest attendance between two non-league clubs out-side of Wembley.

Playing Records

Greatest Goal-scorer in a single season (league): Graeme Jones (31)

Greatest Goal-scorer in a single season (non-league): Harry Lyon (66) and 61 the next!

Greatest all time Goal-scorer (league): David Lowe & Andy Liddell (66)

Greatest all time Goal-scorer (non-league): Harry Lyon (273) 1962-1969

Consecutive Player Appearances: Jimmy Bullard (121)

Amazing Facts

Wigan were the first team in England to play a game with three Spaniards in the line-up

Wigan were the first team to have a Spaniard playing in an FA Cup game

In 1996 defender Matty Carragher scored from 72 yards out during a reserve game (and he meant it!)

Wigan have played more games in the AutoWindshield competition over the years than any other team

Wigan went 4 games in the 1998/99 Auto Windshield Competition without conceeding a goal, a new record

Labels: Wigan Athletic history

West Ham United History

It was early in 1991 when Roger Morgan (ex Tottenham & England winger) the Football in the Community officer at West Ham Utd, arranged a meeting , all the local women’s team were invited including Newham, Dagenham & Romford. Roger outlined the FITC programme and their intention to set up a women’s team but they wanted to bring in an experienced existing team. All the clubs at the meeting declared that they wished to retain their own identify and the idea appeared to be put to sleep. Never the less the FITC organised training sessions at Warren School and were astounded by the response, up to 70 girls were attending each week In November 1991 Roger contacted John Greenacre, who had recently stepped down at Romford LFC,
The first friendly match was set for 29th March 1992
Two teams were entered into the Greater London Regional Women’s Football League, one in Division 3 and the other in Division 4.
11th Oct was the date that Andi Woodley current Chairperson & Reserve Team Manager made her League Debut for the Hammers.
First ever League Game & Win : 27-Sep-1992 score 5-1 v Hackney “B”.

1993-94
Mark Barrie who took up the reins as Reserve Team Manager during the previous season was because of work commitments unable to continue this throughout this season and was replaced by John Greenacre in December.
Trevor Lewin, for whom this was to become his final season as 1st team Manager saw his team just miss out on a top two finish, He had to settle for Third place, which as it transpired (because of a team withdrawing from Division 2) was enough to gain promotion.
Kay Cossington, herself only 14, who was to go on to greater things, made her first team debut on 3 Oct 1993 and score a notable hatrick in March 1994.

1994/1995
John Greenacre takes over as Manager of the first team after Trevor Lewin who had now joined the Football in the Community full time and could no longer spare the time at the weekend.
West Ham draw 0-0 with National League Champions Arsenal in the London FA cup. Hammers keeper Claire Lacey is the star of the show.

1995/1996
West Ham entered the Women’s FA Cup for the first time and are drawn at Home to Great Wakering in the first preliminary round.
This was the season for first’s as the Girls also took on their first European Tour. Travelling to Koln in Germany & the nipping over the border to play in Holland.
Home grown Claire Lacey who came to West Ham in 1992/93 season as a loyal “Hammers” supporter, but had never played organised soccer, was called into the England International squad last summer, at the tender age of 20. She proved to be an instant success, she was sub keeper against the mighty Italians at Roker Park Sunderland. Injury kept her away from the next International at the Valley Charlton, but when England travelled to Portugal in February, Claire made her debut when she came on for the final 20 minutes, and kept a clean sheet. In March Claire was again sub away to Italy. In April she travelled to war torn Croatia, again making the sub’s bench. On May 19th Claire was hopeful of making her full debut against Portugal at Brentford FC but again she was restricted to the subs bench.
A serious back injury was to curtail her International career the following season, although she was able to continue afterwards as an outfield player.

1996/1997
The Ladies change their humble facilities at Brampton Manor School, for the more salubrious surroundings at Barking Football Club in Lodge Avenue.
Neil Harrison West Ham United’s Football Secretary takes over the role as the Ladies representative to the Parent Club.

1997/1998
A new man at the helm, Lawrence Morgan, takes over as First Team Manager.
Club Secretary John Greenacre resigns his position in Oct 1997 after a problem with the FITC dept over the forthcoming England Ladies match to be played at Upton Park, England v Holland.
The Club Chairman, Mr Neil Harrison fails to appoint a replacement and the records fall into disarray. Mrs Maureen Murphy, mother of rising starlet Angela volunteers to step in to fill the breech.
The Ladies are evicted from their Home Ground after Collier Row Ladies collude with Barking and are renamed Barking Ladies.
West Ham Ladies find a new home at Little Heath. Which as fate was to determine in 2001 was to become the Home of West Ham United Academy, although not before the Ladies were again evicted by the owners, East London University, who sold the ground to West Ham Utd.

1998/1999
The year the fortunes changed for the better, John Greenacre is re-elected, this time as Chairman, Maureen Murphy is elected Secretary. But more importantly Kay Cossington is elected as Manager, the first woman to manage a West Ham Team.
Kevin Greenacre leaves to go to University and the Reserve Team is taken over by Steve Grint
In the FA Cup West Ham gain sweet revenge over local rivals Barking, who had the previous season ousted the Hammers from their Home ground, after two matches the Hammers won on penalties. They went on to beat another higher placed team in the second round only to fall at the second attempt in the 3rd .
In The League Cup West Ham were beaten in the quarter finals, their best ever finish, and in the Russell Cup they got to their first ever major cup final, but were beaten 2-1 on the day.
In the League West Ham finished their highest ever League position, Runner’s Up winning promotion to the Premiership. Had it not been for their success in the Cup competition, the Hammers may have won the title, but 4 League games in 8 days in April proved to be a bridge to far.

1999/2000
Now in the Premier Division for the first time West Ham, you would think, would look to consolidate but Kay Cossington wanted more success, and this she got, the rampant Hammers were only beaten into Runners Up spot by the semi-professional outfit, Fulham.
Graham Mackrill is elected WHU rep to the Ladies team and is instrumental in bridging the gap between the Ladies Team and West Ham United, sadly The Mannygate Affair which resulted in the West Ham v Aston Villa League Cup semi final fiasco, Graham was relieved of his post.

2000/2001
For the very first time West Ham introduce a Junior Team, ex Player Justine O’Reilly is summoned to take control.
The team is entered into to Essex County Girls League at under 12 level, The League starts with a grading section where the young Hammers lose only one game, scoring 40 goals and conceded 13. They then are placed into Division A, where they came a respectable 3rd place.
This was the season of the monsoon, by the 11th February 2001, which was the 22nd week into the season, West Ham’s first team had only played 3 League games.
This was also due to their outstanding success in the Axa Sponsored Women’s FA cup. After disposing of Tring & Redbridge Raiders the Hammers had to wait 3 weeks of sodden weather before brushing aside SE Combination team Crowborough, an even longer wait was next before whipping Whitehawk(Brighton) from the same League. Then a 4 week wait to take on, and beat the team that was in the Final 4 years back at Upton Park, Wembley Mill Hill. Who play in the National League Southern Division. Next out of the hat was National Northern League team Ilkeston who travelled down twice to London, the first game being postponed due to the weather, who duly put the plucky Hammers out of the Cup.
Rain…Rain…Rain…Then…………………………WEST HAM REIGN
Double Headers was now the order of the day, as West Ham then put their mind to the League programme. Then came the moment on Sunday 29 April when West Ham became CHAMPIONS of the Greater London Regional Women’s Football League, only 9 years after being formed.
Play-Off Fiasco….. West Ham went into the Play-Off for promotion to the SE Combination League, 2 out of the 3 teams to go through. West Ham win the first game 1-0 against Cambridge Uni. Cambridge then beat Gillingham 4-2 aet.
Then West Ham draw 0-0 with Gillingham aet. One would think that with 1 win and 1 draw, out of a group of three, West Ham would go through.!. No, because the match ended 0-0, a penalty shoot out was ordered, which the Hammers lost 3-1. So the FA decreed that as all the teams had in effect won one game each, goals scored would count. Cambridge top with 4, Gillingham with 2, West Ham with 1. So West Ham faced another season in the Greater London Regional League.

2001/2002
The title was won with a few weeks to spare and WEST HAM were once again CHAMPIONS.
Then came the play-offs, this year with the FA confirming the change to the Rules sought by West Ham after last years fiasco. (Had these Rules been in place last year, West Ham would have won the play-offs instead of being placed 3rd.). West Ham travelled to Malling in Kent and beat the South East Regional Champions 4-1. West Ham were then due to play Colchester (the Eastern Regional Champions) on 19 May, but Malling withdrew from the competition the previous week. So both West Ham & Colchester were promoted to the South East Combination,
Two new youth age groups were introduced Under 11, Managed by John Luciw and Under 15, Managed by Tony Burton, the Under 12’s moved up to Under 13 and all teams competed in the Essex County Girls League.
Maureen Murphy, because of work commitments has to step down as Secretary, John Greenacre again takes up that role, meanwhile Maureen continues her role as liaison officer to West Ham Utd and is joined by Robert Bush, and is instrumental in working out a fresh working relationship with the parent Club.

2002/2003
The first team play their first Combination game and beat eventual champions Watford 1-0. Kay Cossingtons Happy Hammers were to end up in 4th position.
The Club introduces ‘Codes of Conduct’
Kay Cossington [Manager] informs the club that because she has been asked by the FA to work with the England Women’s Football set up, she will no longer be able to continue as Manager.

2003/2004
West Ham again open their League season with a win, Crystal Palace, again it transpires that team are to end up as Champions, with West Ham finishing as credible RUNNERS UP.
Fiona Miley, our new contact with WHU comes up trumps with a kit sponsorship with ‘FAIRVIEW HOMES’ , who provide two new kits for every team.
Julia Setford is named Player Manager.
Kay Cossington stays on as Head Coach.
We enter last seasons U16 team as a 3rd team in the Greater London Regional League, but as time was to tell, many of the 3rd team were better players than the current Reserves. Hence a reshuffle in late September. Many of the Reserve teams noses were knocked out of joint by these young whippersnappers and decide to leave the club. This left Manager Steve Grint short of players, so for the first time in our History, we had to fold a team.
We at last get a ground where most of our teams can play together. Flanders Playing Fields becomes Home for Reserves, Thirds, U14 & U12, The first team remains at Aveley FC.
Fiona Miley leaves her job with WHUFITC after finding herself unable to work with her peers.

2004/2005
West Ham United are CHAMPIONS of the FA South East Combination League, Winning promotion to the FA National League. By beating Northampton in their last game of the season, a draw would have left the Cobblers only needing to win their remaining two games, so the pressure was on the Hammers .
West Ham also just failed to do the Double beaten by Runners Up in the League Northampton in an exciting League Cup Final at Bedford FC
The U13 & U15 both win their respective League Titles in the Essex County Girls League & win to their respective Cup Finals
The club enrol Liz Davies{masseuse] & Carly Vincent [Physio] [below] to ease away the aches & pains.
Andi Woodley takes over the reigns as Reserve team manager & West Ham Ladies again become 1 unit.
The Women’s FA Cup Final is again held at Upton Park. The senior team are presented with their League Trophy at half time before a crowd of nearly 9000.
West Ham Utd Ladies are awarded The FA Charter Standard Club Award
The journey from park football to National League is completed. Now the hard work begins

2005/2006
After a shaky start the Hammers settled into their first season in the National League Southern Division, finishing a respectable 6th position.
The reserves are pipped on the last day of the season of runners up spot, by a full strength Reading Royals team.
We are awarded the prestige’s FA Fair Play Award for collecting the least number of yellow/red cards..
All junior teams, U14,U12,U11 win their respective League titles in the Essex County Girls League, The u16 tried their luck in the Greater London Women’s League, playing against senior players, hey came a credible 2nd place in the top reserve section.
Maureen Murphy stands down as Treasurer, Andie Woodley also stands down as Reserve Team manager at the end of the season, to take on a role in 2006-07 asassistant manager to the 1st team.

Labels: West Ham United History