History
11 Aug 2008

The original Glemsford Football Club can be traced back to 1894-95, when they played in the newly formed West Suffolk League, where we rubbed shoulders with the likes of Sudbury Town, Bury Town, Haverhill Rovers and Long Melford for three seasons.

Records show both Glemsford and Cavendish playing in the Haverhill and District League in the late 1920's, and then Glemsford joined the Halstead and District League, Division 1, in 1934-35. We won the Halstead League in 1936-37 season with a 100% record and won it again a year later, dropping just one point!

Both clubs played in the Halstead League for many further seasons, prior to joining the Border League. Cavendish made the switch in 1989-90, following a run of success at the lower level. Their ground was behind the Memorial Hall in Melford Road, where the current teams play. In their 10 years in the Border League, they won division 3 in their first season and division 2 in 1996-97. Unfortunately Cavendish folded in 1998-99 season due to lack of players.

Glemsfords more recent honours in the Halstead League include winning the Division 2 League and Cup double in 1979-80, the Premier cup in 1982-83, the Division 1 title in 1991-92 and runners up in the Premier Divison 1994-95.

The club almost became extinct in the mid 1990's when a split led to the formation of Glemsford Old Boys FC, who joined the Halstead League in 1994-95, but with their base in Clare. The result being a delay in the reserve teams fixtures while they searched for players. The club rallied however and were able to complete the season with the reserve side playing along side the old boys team in Division 2. Secretary of the time, Michael Holt, was in no doubt that the club emerged a stronger outfit following the set back, as bourne out by subsequent events.

Glemsfords ground for many years was behind the village hall, on Tower Meadow, where their new clubhouse, plus second place in the league was enough for them to be accepted into the Border League, Division 3 in 1995-96.

Following the demise of the Cavendish club in 1999, Glemsford took the opportunity to amalgamate with their neighbours and under the name of Glemsford and Cavendish United, they moved to the formers impressive Cavendish Sports Ground in Melford Road.

In 2003-2004 they were promoted as runners up in Division 3 and after one season they were promoted again from Division 2 thanks to league restructuring. However it was only thanks to withdrawals and a further restructuring that they remained in Division 1, after two bottom place finishes. All that was put behind them last year when Rob Benson and Tony Parsons steadied the ship and lead the side to a creditable 7th place finish. The reserves had an disrupted start to last season, but Tim Allen joined the management team in October and the league form vastly improved. He also led the side to a Challange Cup Final appearance and this year they have joined the Border Reserve Division 1 League.

The 2008/09 season was unique for the fact that both the first team and reserves played Border League football for the first time in the clubs history. A very positive step, closing the gap between the sides. The first team struggled to emulate the previous season and struggled with suspensions and injuries, indeed they were unable to field the same eleven for two consectutive matches. They finshed the season in 10th place. The reserves enjoyed a terrific first season playing Border League football. The club appointed Barry Simpson to assist Tim Allen, however a mixture of Tims work committments and Simmos positive coaching, Simmo took the managers role half way through the season and led his troops to a very creditable 3rd place finish. However this was tinged with slight regret after drawing and losing their last two games, the reserves missed out on promotion by just three points.

With Allen leaving the club, Simpson quickley followed suit, joining AFC Sudbury in a coaching role, the club moved swiftly to appoint the experienced Scott 'Pop' Guyon to manage the reserves. The first team again being run by Benson and Parsons, let's hope for a successful season for both teams at the club.

After a disapointing Border League campaign the 1st team finishing a lowly 14th and the reserves although more sucessful failed to secure promotion and finished in 3rd position for the second consectutive season. The club merged with Glemsford FC during the summer of 2009. Manager Rob Benson stayed on for the new season, but his joint manager Tony Parsons left due to family commitments. The reserves also lost their manager Scott Guyon. Rob was joined in the 1st team management team by Glenn and John Sorrell from the incoming Glemsford FC and thankfully club chairman Darren Aitken stepped into the reserve job, to be assisted by Colin Drain. After a successful pre-season the club is looking forward to it's new campagin in the Cambs Kershaw League, division 3A and 5A respectively.

Onwards and Upwards!!!