History Of Ilfracombe Town AFC
15 Nov 2010

A SHORT HISTORY OF
ILFRACOMBE TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Ilfracombe Football Club was formed in November 1902 and played local opposition until the formation of the North Devon League in 1904, in which Combe became founder members. The present name of Ilfracombe Town was adopted in 1920 and in 1922/23 the club contested the East Devon League, remaining there for many years.

The club ground at Marlborough Park was acquired in 1923 and laid out for competitive football in 1924/25 season. In 1949 an application was made to the Western League and the club was admitted to Division 3 for the 1949/50 season, winning promotion as runners up.

During the 1952/53 season the clubs finest FA Cup run was experienced, being the only Division 2 side to reach the 4th Qualifying Round where Llanelli was the venue and the result was 1-0 in favour of the Welshmen in front of an 8500 gate.

Promotion to Division 1 was also achieved at the end of the 1952/53 season but after two years, relegation was followed by poor results and poor support ultimately resulting in withdrawal from the league at the close of the 1958/59 season.

During the 60s and 70s North Devon League football was again contested and during the 80s following some very encouraging seasons the club re-applied to the Western League and was accepted for the 1984/85 season.

After rejoining the Western League the club played in Division 1 until promotion to the Premier Division was achieved in 2007 following a determined run of nine consecutive wins at the end of the season.

The reserves play in the North Devon League and the club also has a strong youth set up with five teams spanning a wide age range. The club sees itself as being at the heart of its community and tries to involve as many people as possible in its activities.

Currently competing at Premiership level for the 5th consecutive season, the club are enjoying their most successful ever period since rejoining the league. And the past two seasons of attaining a finishing position of 3rd, together with the addition of lifting their first-ever piece of silverware by way of the Les Phillips Challenge Cup, players and officials alike will be striving to emulate the high standard that has been set.