Page 22 - Brislington FC v Street 070921

Street FC - A History

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