Page 20 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Street 161021

Today’s Visitors

Founded in 1880, Street Football Club is one of the oldest clubs in Somerset and was christened
with the nickname “The Cobblers” due to a large shoe making history in the area. The club’s early
years were fairly successful, winning the Somerset Senior League on 4 occasions before the end of
the century, the first time being the 1882/83 season. The club also had early success in the Somerset
Senior Cup as they lifted the trophy in 1898 and again 2 years later. After winning the Somerset
Senior League again in 1909/10, and the Somerset Senior Cup the following year, the club made the
decision to join the Western League.
With the Western League being disbanded in 1914 due to WW1, Street re-joined the league at the
start of season 1919/20 in division 2. Unfortunately, the division was disbanded three years later so
the club re-joined the Somerset Senior League, where they remained for the next eight years before
re-joining the Western League for the 1930/31 season. The first season back in division 2 was none
too successful, finishing 16th out of 17, but two years later Street were runners-up to Swindon Town
Reserves - a feat they repeated in 1938 when finishing 2nd behind Weymouth - but in those days
there was no automatic promotion from division 2 into division 1.
The following season the club had its finest hour by reaching the 1st round proper of the FA Cup
away at Football League 3rd division Ipswich Town, but sadly lost 7-0. After WW2 Street returned to
the Western League 1st division and in season 1947/48 had a memorable campaign ending 3rd in
the league and reaching the FA Cup 1st round for the second time - after knocking out Yeovil Town
2-1 in front of a crowd of 5000 at the Victoria Field - where they were beaten 5-0 by Cheltenham
Town.
The 1952/53 season saw the club finish runners-up in division 1, losing out to Barnstaple Town who
had a 0.01 better goal average after the sides had finished level on 44 points. The club then went
through a lean spell and was relegated to division 2 in 1955 and then re-joined the Somerset Senior
League in 1960 when the Western League division 2 was again disbanded.
In the mid 1960’s the introduction of Tommy Wilson as manager saw the club’s fortunes rise again.
At the same time, they left the Victoria Field and moved to the Turnpike Ground where they were
crowned Somerset Senior League champions in 1964 - and again in 1966. In 1967 Street FC moved
to their present home, the Tannery Ground, but times were lean and by 1992 they had dropped to
division 3.
The appointment of Noel O’Hare as manager in 1993 saw an upturn in fortunes and successive
promotions came in his first 2 seasons. At the end of the 1994/95 season Noel left and Simon White
was appointed. Simon left after only 11 games of the season, but the club went on to gain promotion
again and reached the final of the League Cup under the guidance of Ken Randall. The following
season Simon White returned and led the club to the Somerset Senior League championship title for
a record 8th time - and back into the Western League after a 37-year absence. The following
season floodlights and a seated stand were both erected and the changing rooms were enlarged.
After guiding the club to 4th place & 3rd place finishes in the first two seasons, Simon again left the
club mid-way through the 1999-2000 campaign. Neil Seymour & Julian Thresher then took over the
reins, followed by Gerry Pearson and then Alan Hooker, until Simon White was re-appointed at the
start of the 2005/06 season and led the club to promotion to the Western League Premier Division
at the first attempt.
Dan Badman took over in 2011/12 and the following season the team finishing 6th; and went one
better in 2013/14 finishing 5th. Season 2015/16 saw the team finish 7th in the league and reach the
last 4 of the Somerset Premier Cup, but at the end of the season Dan stepped down due to work
commitments. The committee moved swiftly and appointed ex-Bitton, Bridgwater & Paulton manager
Richard Fey to take over and season 2016/17 saw his side challenging all the way for the title with
Bristol Manor Farm. In the end, however, the club had to settle for the runners-up spot for only the
second time in the club’s history.
The 2017/18 campaign was the Club’s 50th season in the Western League - and was a momentous
one too! Early results were a little indifferent, but starting on 12th September, Richard Fey’s charges
completed a sensational run of 26 consecutive league victories that eventually saw the team win
the title by 15 points (falling just one point short of the century) after winning 32 out of their 38
games and scoring 100 goals, thus earning a place in the Southern League for the first time in the
Club’s history.
However, 2018/19 was to be the only season at the higher level for the club as it soon became clear
th
that Southern League football was a ‘step too far’: and despite a respectable 7 place finish, the
decision was taken to protect the long-term future of the club and return to the Toolstation Western
League.
For the two truncated seasons (and now 2021/22 season) the club has changed emphasis and has
recruited a management team and squad that focusses on youth and bringing players up through
the club’s ranks…