Downham Town F.C.
Downham Town Football Club is a football club based in Downham Market, Norfolk, England. Affiliated to the Norfolk County Football Association, they are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Division One North and play at Memorial Field.
Full name | Downham Town Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Town | ||
Founded | 1881 | ||
Ground | Memorial Field, Downham Market | ||
Chairman | Jason Cook | ||
Manager | Craig Dickson and Dale Stokes | ||
League | Eastern Counties League Division One North | ||
2019–20 | Eastern Counties League Division One North (season abandoned) | ||
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History
The club was established in 1881,[1] and were originally nicknamed the Saints. They initially played in junior leagues in the King's Lynn area, before joining the Peterborough & District League in 1949,[2] when they gained senior status after being elected to the league's Premier Division. In 1961–62 they won the Peterborough Senior Cup, which they retained the following year, also winning the Peterborough & District league title. In 1963–64 they won the Norfolk Senior Cup, winning it again two years later. Further victories in the Peterborough Senior Cup came in 1966–67, 1971–72 and 1986–87, whilst the league title was won in 1973–74, 1978–79. Following back-to-back titles in 1986–87 and 1987–88, the club became founding members of the new Division One of the Eastern Counties League in 1988,[3] where they have remained since. Their best league performance was third place in 1998–99.[3]
They began entering the FA Vase in 1979, reaching the third round in 1986–87, which remains their best performance in the competition.
Ground
The club plays at the Memorial Field, which is shared with the local cricket club.[4] As a result, the ground only has three sides with hardstanding; one touchline features a seated main stand and two covered standing areas, with the area behind both goals consisting of hardstanding.
Honours
- Peterborough & District League
- Champions 1962–63, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1986–87, 1987–88
- Norfolk Senior Cup
- Winners 1963–64, 1965–66
- Norfolk Primary Cup
- Winners 1990–91
- Peterborough Senior Cup
- Winners 1961–62, 1962–63, 1966–67, 1971–72, 1986–87
- Isle of Ely Challenge Cup
- Winners 1985–86, 1987–88
- Harry Overland Cup
- Winners 1996–97, 1998–99
- West Norfolk Cup
- Winners 1987–88
- Bill Knott Trophy
- Winners 1989–90, 1991–92
Records
- Best FA Vase performance: Third round, 1986–87[3]
- Attendance: 1,500 vs. Norwich City, 1948–49, friendly match[5]
See also
- Downham Town F.C. players
References
- Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) Non-League Club Directory 2017, Tony Williams Publications, p410 ISBN 978-1869833695
- A Celebration of 100 years 1902–2002, Peterborough & District League
- Downham Town at the Football Club History Database
- Football forces Downham to switch Eastern Daily Press, 26 April 2013
- Downham Town Eastern Counties League