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history |
The club was formed in 1933 and between 1959 and 1971 the first team played in the Northern Senior League. Unfortunately the club were forced to move from their ground at Naas Lane and had to pull out of the league. After that for many years the first team played in the Stroud League. By the early 1980’s the club played on the Hardwicke Playing Fields but the changing rooms were not up to the required standard. However in 1983-84 the team won the First Division of the Stroud League and new changing rooms were built on the end of the Village Hall. Consequently the club was promoted to the Second Division of the Northern Senior League. After four seasons in the Second Division the team were promoted to the First Division in 1988 after finishing runners-up to Hilldene Athletic. Since that time the first team consistently finished in the top half of the First Division. In 1998 Hardwicke were runners-up in the Northern Senior League and were promoted to the Gloucestershire County League where they play at present. The club also has a reserve team on Saturdays which has reached the Second Division of the Stroud League. Hardwicke also started a 3rd’s side, playing in Division 8 of the Stroud League managed by Rob Dawe (chairman of the youth section) & Andy Pugh. The reserves recorded the clubs only County Cup success when they won the Intermediate Cup in 1993-94. In 1997 the first team reached the County Cup Final for the first time but lost to Endsleigh Reserves in a close fought game. In 1998 they also reached the final against Cirencester Academy but still that first cup was beyond their grasp. The reserves gained promotion to Division One of the Stroud League after becoming Division Two Champions in 2001/2. In recent years the club has greatly expanded with a thriving youth section which hopefully will supply a steady stream of new players in the future. The Hardwicke Rangers Youth Section currently run teams for boys playing at under 7’s through to under 16’s. Hardwicke currently run a total of 17 teams and are one of the biggest in Gloucestershire. To meet this expansion the club now uses 5 main pitches. The committee is made up of past playing members of the club. Ian Swankie, & Dareth Daley have given over 20 years service to Hardwicke whilst Ian Davies & Colin Amos have given over 15 years service. A special mention to Derek Mace who has given many years to Hardwicke, his company Merbro Welding has been the main sponsor of the club for many seasons. Derek was the manager when the club was elected to the County League in 1998. His passion for the club is unmatched. Club and fixture secretary Stan Hine has been greatly involved over the years. The Club Chairman is Matthew Griffiths, a local businessman who has pulled the committee together and helped push Hardwicke in the right direction. Also the WAGS do a sterling job behind the scenes from laundry, kitchen, programme editing and fund raising. The present 1st team manager is Warren Evans who played football at a high level (Cinderford Town, Tuffley etc) and is assisted by Ian Davies who has played for Hardwicke for many years. Second team manager is Colin Amos also a long serving player. No history of Hardwicke Football Club would be complete without special mention of the KING family. Frank King who sadly passed away in January 1998 was involved in the club for over 60 years. His son
Tony King has held every Position in the club and currently maintains the pitches. Hardwicke are currently top of the Surridge County League and won the Les James League Cup this season.
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TEAM CREST
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SPONSORED BY:
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