Ashton & Backwell United F.C.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ashton & Backwell United
Ashton & Backwell FC.png
Full nameAshton & Backwell United Football Club
Nickname(s)The Stags
Founded1911 (as Backwell United)
GroundRecreation Ground, Backwell
ChairmanMike Thomas
ManagerCharlie Rich
LeagueWestern League Premier Division
2020–21Western League Division One (promoted)

Ashton & Backwell United Football Club is a football club based in Backwell, Somerset, England. Affiliated to the Somerset FA, they are currently members of the Western League Premier Division and play at Backwell Recreation Ground.

History[]

The club was established in 1911 as Backwell United.[1] After playing in the Bristol Church of England League, they progressed to the Bristol & Suburban League in the 1950s. In 1970 they transferred to the Somerset County League, becoming founder members of the new Division One.[1] After gaining promotion to the Premier Division, the club won the league title in 1977–78.[2] They went on to win the league in four successive seasons between 1979–80 and 1982–83, also winning the inaugural League Cup in 1982–83.[2]

Backwell moved up to Division One of the Western League in 1983.[3] They were Division One runners-up in 1989–90, but were unable to take promotion as they did not have floodlights.[1] However, after lights were installed, they finished third in 1994–95 and were promoted to the Premier Division.[3] They remained in the Premier Division until finishing bottom of the table in 2005–06, resulting in relegation to Division One. After finishing third-from-bottom of Division One in 2007–08, the club dropped back into the Premier Division of the Somerset County League.[3]

In 2010 Backwell United merged with Ashton Boys and were renamed Ashton & Backwell United.[1] A third-place finish in 2012–13 saw the club promoted back to Division One of the Western League.[4] In 2021 they were promoted to the Premier Division based on their results in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.

Ground[]

Ashton & Backwell United playing Bristol City in July 2013

The club played at several local grounds until moving to the Recreation Ground in 1947.[5][6] The land had been donated to the village by Theodore Robinson during the 1980s.[5] New changing rooms were built after the club joined the Somerset County League in 1970.[6] A clubhouse was built during the club's early years in the Western League, which has some terracing in front of it.[6] Floodlights were erected in 1993 alongside another set of new changing rooms, which included a roof overhang to provide covered accommodation for spectators.[6] A stand was built during the 2003–04 season and named after Bill Coggins, a former club secretary.[6]

Honours[]

  • Somerset County League
    • Premier Division champions 1977–78, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83
    • League Cup winners 1982–83

Records[]

  • Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round, 1999–2000[3]
  • Best FA Vase performance: Fifth round, 2004–05[3]
  • Record attendance: 1,000 vs Bristol City, friendly match, 3 July 2013[7]

See also[]

  • Ashton & Backwell United F.C. players

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d History Ashton & Backwell United F.C.
  2. ^ a b 2012–2013 Handbook Somerset County League
  3. ^ a b c d e Backwell United at the Football Club History Database
  4. ^ Ashton & Backwell United at the Football Club History Database
  5. ^ a b Nailsea People take a look at the state-of-play of local football Nailsea People, 27 August 2010
  6. ^ a b c d e Backwell United Pyramid Passion
  7. ^ Honours and records Ashton & Backwell United F.C.

External links[]

Coordinates: 51°24′46″N 2°44′42″W / 51.412708°N 2.7450612°W / 51.412708; -2.7450612

Retrieved from ""