Founded
in 1895, Christchurch FC can claim to be one of the pioneers
of Hampshire League soccer, as they were founder
members of the Hampshire FA in 1887 following the dissolution
of the
South Hants & Dorset FA and the consequential forming of
the Dorset FA.
Christchurch's first honours on local soccer
fields came in 1893 when they won the Hampshire Junior Cup.
The team was then
known locally as the "Can't Whack Ems" and further successes
were achieved in this competition in 1912 and 1921.
Between the wars, Christchurch were members
of the Bournemouth & Hampshire
County Leagues and in 1938 they gained promotion to Hants
1 for the first time by winning the Hants 2 Championship.
Like most Clubs of long standing, Christchurch
have enjoyed mixed fortunes during their long history. They
have been relegated
to Hants 2 & 3 and then climbed back to the top sphere again,
winning the Hants 2 again in 1948 & 1986 and Hants 3 in 1953.
In 1970 Christchurch gained the distinction of being the first
Club to win the Bournemouth Senior Cup three times in successive
seasons. They also won the Bournemouth Pickford Cup in 1977
and in 1987 they won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup.
Christchurch gained admission to the Wessex League in the
1987-88 season and they are one of the few Clubs still retaining
their amateur status. Despite competition from neighbouring
Clubs, they still succeed in attracting a loyal band of players
who enjoy their football at Hurn Bridge and the amenities of
the Sports Club.
Christchurch's long association with Barrack Road Recreation
Ground (near the town centre) ended at the start of the 1984-85
season when the Club accepted the opportunity provided by Christchurch
Borough Council to move its headquarters to Hurn Bridge with
its excellent clubhouse facilities. The sports ground was formerly
owned by British Aerospace and a substantial investment was
made initially by the Council, Football Club and Sports Club
on various ground improvements, including the provison of floodlights,
covered accomodation for spectators and two extensions to the
clubhouse.
Bournemouth FA have established their headquarters at Hurn
Bridge and in 1994 Dorset CCC also established their indoor
cricket school on the site.
At the start of the 1995-96 season, the football Club built
a new 200 seat cantilever stand and made other ground improvements
to meet the requirements of the Wessex League and FA Competitions.
In recent times, a press box was installed in the stand and
additional seating provided for home and visiting Club officials.
In April 2003, Poole Sports Charitable Trust, opted to use
the get out clause in the long term lease they had agreed with
Christchurch Council for running the Hurn Bridge site. This
led to the long term lease for the entire Hurn Bridge complex
being offered and eventually assigned over to Christchurch
Football Club. We then created from our football Club committee,
a Limited Company consisting of three members, whose task was
to oversee the day to day running of the whole complex and
leave the footballing side of things being overseen as previously,
by the football Club committee. These were and indeed still
are, exciting times, as it allows us now to expand the whole
operation at Hurn Bridge at the pace we set.
The new dressing room complex is still progressing, albeit
slowly, with planning permission received and funding options
now being sorted.
In May 2003, our young Under 18's side, led by Kevin Jackson,
won promotion to Division One of the Hampshire Youth League,
where subsequent seasons have seen them playing well at that
level.
At the end of the 2004-05 season, Andy Leader was appointed
First Team Manager after the departure of Peter Moore. 2005-06
saw the Club finish in tenth place and the season was deemed
a success on the playing front. With new shirt sponsors, In-Excess,
and other exciting developments, Christchurch are starting
to move in the right direction.
Season 2006/2007 was disappointing with a 14th
place finish in the Premier Division with management changes
mid season.
The 1st team managed to progress to the quarter final on
the League Cup & the young 2nd team went one better being
losing semi-finalists beaten by Cowes Sports.
Season 2007/8 saw the appointment of Graham Kemp as
Manager with several new players being signed. The 1st team
finished 16th in the Premier Division but the reserve side
finished a creditable 3rd in Combination 1.