Page 8 - Shirehampton FC v English Bicknor 050222

SHIREHAMPTON F.C. - CLUB HISTORY

Shirehampton FC began life as Kingsweston Star playing friendlies where ever and
when ever games could be arranged. Then in 1952 the name was changed to Penpole
United and the club was elected to play in the Church of England league, their ‘home’
pitch on the downs.

In 1953 the team moved closer to their home of Shirehampton and started
playing at the Lamplighters Playing Field on the banks of the Avon in
Shirehampton. Highlights of these times were bruising local derby clashes against St
George Easton and Gordano where the opposition and large amounts of Supporters
would arrive on the near-by Pill Shirehampton ferry.
In 1954 the team moved to its present pitch at Penpole Lane and the team
became Shirehampton Sports. By this time the team were competing in the Bristol
and District League and later in the early 70’s dropping the Sports from their title.

Shirehampton FC as it is now called was formed by several local lads. Among the
stalwarts of those early days were founder members Peter Campbell (Goalkeeper) his
brother Ted (Club Secretary), Bob Bolwell, Jimmy Hudd and his brother John, Ted
Trueman, Jim Pepper and Max Brunsdon.

The first ever League Game was a bit of a disaster losing 3-1 to Tickenham United
with Shirehampton fielding only 9 players. More players joined in the following Seasons
including Keith Ellison, John Coleman whose father Fred was Chairman, Cederick and
Peter Rich, Rogers Mills and prolific goal scorer John Helson. Other early members were
Bill Shayler, Joe Emery, Graham Miles, Charlie Warlock followed later by Alec Gordon,
Mike Scrag and Dave Carey. The first honours came in 1954/55 where
Shirehampton were runners up of the Church of England League followed by
District League Division V runners up.
The Club had quite a number of supporters and followers amongst these were Mrs
Campbell and Audrey Trueman, who ran the tea hut at Shirehampton Recreation
Ground and served piping hot tea to players, and supporters on bitterly cold winter
afternoons.
From these foundations in the 50’s, followed the Club’s rise to Senior Football in the
60’s, when it achieved promotion nearly every season, spearheaded by players such
as Paul and Barry England, Kelvin and Alec Gordon, John Helson, Dave Carey, Dave
Hicks and Alan Bennett.
Then in the 70’s, came one of the most successful periods in the Clubs history
under manager Paul England, and later John Watkins - success in the Premier
Combination and the GFA and Pratton Cups. Among the players from that period where
Bob Morgan scorer of many goals, Mike Wiltshire, Steve and Graham Brunsdon, Andy
Kerr, Ray Parkin, Les Vincent, Stuart Claridge, Pete Hutton, Phil Palmer, Nick Price, Pete
McCall, Hugh Nethercott, and in the late 70’s of course Mickey Barratt.
In the early 80’s Shirehampton FC were prevented from progressing into the
County League football by bureaucracy and inter club politics. So to achieve their
senior football ambitions, they applied to the Somerset Senior league, and were
accepted into Division 1. Under the guidance of John Watkins, they achieved