LYNDHURST F.C - A BRIEF HISTORY
07 May 2009

Lyndhurst & Emery Down F.C was formed in February 1885 and played against local sides including St Mary's F.C. Now better known as Southampton F.C

Lyndhurst were Arsenal F.C's first ever F.A Cup opponents when they met in a qualifying match. The armoury workers winning a one sided match 11 - 0

The Club dropped the Emery Down from it's name and Lyndhurst F.C became founder members of the New Forest Football League in 1903.
The 1910/11 season saw the Club win it's first trophy, beating Totton 2 - 1 in the Perkins Cup Final.

The Club has known many homes in and around the Lyndhurst area, ending up at its present ground in Wellands Rd after the conclusion of the 2nd World War.

Lyndhurst F.C switched to the Southampton League in the 1950's, but had to wait until 1966 for our 1st silverware.
A steady climb through the leagues continued until 1973 when the Club slipped out of Senior football and as low as junior 3 in the early 80's.

In 1989 Dave Cox & Melvyn Farmer joined the Club Between them they oversaw improving the ground which helped kick start the Clubs resurgence. Dave Cox though left for his 1st love, Hythe & Dibden within two years.

1992 saw promotion back into Senior 2 under the guidance of manager T. Ridout. That season also saw Hampshire 'A' Cup success and defeat in the Southampton 'A' Cup Final.

Promotion for the 1st time into the Southampton Premier League in 2001 was short lived and the Club were relegated on the final day of the season despite a fine 3 - 0 win v Sporting BTC.
At that time the Club was in danger of folding, and offered an amalgamation to it's tenants at the time Stoneham TJ's who were arguably the most successful team in Southampton at the time with 3 League titles and 2 Southampton Cups to their name.

Dave Elgram took up the reigns and along with his assistant Andy Tipp made Hampshire League Football the Clubs target.
The new look Lyndhurst (STJ) won promotion at the 1st attempt as Champions of Senior One. The following season saw success in the Southampton Senior League Cup & promotion to the newly formed Hampshire 2004 League. In his and the Clubs finest hour Dave resigned due to personal reasons and his assistant of 5 years Andy Tipp took up the challenge.

In his 1st and only season Andy took the Club to 5th in the League and more importantly victory at St Mary's in the Senior F.A Cup Final.

The Clubs greatest achievement was tarnished forever however when the famous old Cup was badly damaged during the post match celebrations. Andy and most of the squad left  and Dave Elgram was persuaded to take over  the reigns again.
With Gary Hawkins appointed as his right hand man and the (STJ) now dropped from the name, Lyndhurst finished a credible 6th in the League, which was followed up in 2006 with an 8th place and Hampshire League Cup Semi-Final defeat to old foes Sporting BTC.

The 2007-08 season saw  Lyndhurst F.C  founder members of the newly formed Hampshire Premier League. Dave & Gary stepped down from their managerial roll and Chairman Melvyn Farmer appointed Cub Secretary Lee Renyard to his 1st managerial position.
Shortly after, Melvyn resigned from the Club for personal reasons. Dave Elgram was appointed Chairman and his wife Kay,Club Secretary.

Lee's tenure as Manager lasted one season.

The Club Committee reappointed Dave to the 1st team job and Ian MCcrindle and Gary Hawkins to the Reserve & Youth team positions during the summer of 2008.

The Club was forced to withdraw from the County ranks in November 2010 after an exodus of new players.

Reformed at the end of the 2010-11 season the Club were forced to rebuild in parks football and spent 1 season (known as the wilderness season) in the Southampton League, winning the Senior League Cup for the 2nd time beating Cadnam 2 - 1.

The Club were promoted back to the 2004 League for the start of the 2012-13 season.