Club History
26 Jan 2010

Since it’s formation in 1936, Benwick Football Club has had a somewhat chequered history, with periods of activity, dedication and success interspersed with quieter times.

In 1936 they reached the final of the Doddington Cup. It seems they had dedicated players right from the start; one of which was goalkeeper Cyril Chapman. His daughter Janet Fountain, who kindly sent us a copy of the photograph below, recounts ‘My Dad was goalie at this time and he and my mum had planned their wedding for this day, but as Dad was needed in goal they postponed the wedding’.

At full time the score was a draw; Benwick lost 1-0 in the replay. Hopefully Mrs Chapman was of the opinion that it’s the taking part that counts!

The team was disbanded for the duration of World War II, during which time it is reported that many of the West Ham United players played on the Benwick pitch while they were stationed in the Search Light Camp close by.

After the war Benwick Football Club was reformed. Harry Sutton, a local retired farmer, remembers playing in the Isle League until 1955.

The club then appears to have faced a lean time, but was reformed for the 1967/68 season, joining the Isle League. Success followed over the next 15 years or so; they won the Division Two Championship in 1969 and the following year captured the Minor Cup, while promotion to the First Division was gained in 1970/71. At this time the club was strong enough to run a second team in Division Two. The club continued to be successful into the early eighties, wining the Isle League Invitation Cup in successive years in 1982 and 1983.

Unfortunately in the late 80’s, due to a lack of local interest, the reserve team was disbanded and the first team somewhat neglected, until October 1990 when an emergency meeting was called to decide the future of the club. It was voted unanimously to try to continue with the senior team, which proved to be a wise decision; by the 1994/95 season an influx of new blood had strengthened the team considerably and reversed its fortunes yet again. They won three major cups and the league, winning all but one game. The top goal scorer for Benwick was Robbie Jones with 59 goals.

Sadly the senior team folded in 1999, parting from the club and going on to form the Benwick Old Boys Football Club. Benwick Athletic Football Club continued, with the emphasis now on youth football.

A junior team was first established in the early eighties, and the club expanded upon this during the 1990’s and into the 21st Century.

The 1996/97 season was particularly successful. The Under 10’s and Under 11’s entered a six-a-side tournament organised by the Peterborough Junior Alliance League and the Peterborough Evening Telegraph; they were runners up, losing 1-0 to Abbey in the final. In a tournament organised by Thorney Football Club they also reached the final, again losing 1-0 to Abbey. They were finalists also in the Netherton tournament. How frustrating it must have been to lose yet again, 1-0 to Godmanchester.

With dedication and hard work, the club has been growing steadily. As the years have passed the youth players have remained with us, becoming old enough to bring senior football back to the club. In the coming season 2006/7, Benwick Athletic will boast seven teams; Under 7’s, Under 8’s, Under 10’s, Under 12’s, Under 14’s, Under 18’s and a Senior team.

In April 2003 the Club received The Charter Standard Award from the FA. To receive this prestigious award the club had to meet certain criteria, including:

· A written constitution
· Self-certified screening of managers, coaches and officials
· All managers to have minimum of FA Junior Team Managers Award
· Commitment to attend in-service training
· Acceptance and promotion of Codes of Conduct
· Commitment to provide Mini-Soccer opportunities for Under 10’s
· Commitment to promote schools liaison and equal opportunities for all

The award was presented to the club at Peterborough United, witnessed by three coach loads of Benwick Athletic adults and players!

With thanks to Jane Levicki for this article and Rob Taylor for information and photographs from his website, www.benwick.com