ROBIN OSBORNE

PAR002_123 • March 28, 2022

Hampshire FA's President (and former Chair), Robin Osborne, passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon after a long battle with ill health.


Robin’s first involvement in football was in December 1962 when he qualified as a referee whilst living in Northampton before moving to Leicestershire and progressing to referee on the Midland Counties Football League.


Robin remained an active referee with Leicestershire & Rutland FA continuously until 1988/89 and received a 20 year long service award from the county in 1984 whilst also serving the Loughborough Referees Society from 1974 to 1984 holding posts as Treasurer and Vice Chairman and also representing Loughborough on the Leicestershire & Rutland County Referees Committee.


Whilst based in Leicestershire, Robin also became involved with Birstall Community College Youth FC (where his Son’s played) managing junior teams from Under 10 to Under 13 between 1981-84.


After moving to the South Coast, Robin was appointed Auditor of Bournemouth Divisional FA in 1991 and was also elected as a BDFA Council Member before being elected to Hampshire FA Council in 1995 and then as BDFA Treasurer in 1996, a role he held until 2001 when he was elected as Treasurer (Finance Director) of Hampshire FA Ltd.


During this time, Robin also joined Christchurch FC in 1996 serving as Chairman 1998-2001 returning in recent years as the club’s President.


Robin is the only person in Hampshire FA’s history to have held all four Officer roles having been elected as Treasurer (Finance Director) in 2001 at a time when Hampshire FA became a limited company, then onto Deputy Chairman in 2013, Chairman in 2014 and was appointed President in 2019.


Robin was one of football’s good guys and he will be sorely missed. All at the Wessex Football League are saddened to learn of Robin’s passing, and our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Gail and his family.


As a mark of respect, a minute’s silence will be held at all Hampshire FA Cup Finals this season.


Further details will be confirmed in due course.

PLAY-OFF DATES

April 19, 2025
Following the conclusion of the regular playing season in the Premier Division on Saturday, we can confirm the promotion play-offs will take place as follows: April 22 - AFC Stoneham (1) v (1) Andover New Street (7.45pm) - ANS won 4-3 on penalties April 23 - Fareham Town (2) v (0) Hamble Club (7.45pm) Play-Off Final Saturday, April 26 - Fareham Town v Andover New Street (at Cams Alders, 3pm k.o) BUY PLAY-OFF FINAL TICKETS HERE - £8 adults/ £4 concessions/ U16 free accompanied by an adult; £1 unaccompanied ________________________ Division One dates as follows: April 29 - (2nd v 5th) - 7.45pm k.o April 30 - (3rd v 4th) - 7.45pm k.o May 3 - (Final @ venue of club finishing highest in regular season) - 3pm k.o The final round of matches in Division One takes place on April 26.

PURPS HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP TRIUMPH

April 16, 2025
AFC Stoneham claimed the Servio Hampshire Senior Cup with a 3-0 victory over Wessex League rivals, AFC Portchester, in front of 675 at AFC Totton's Snows Stadium on Tuesday evening. Goals from Oliver Jenkins, Oliver Fee and Mat Bainbridge - all inside an eleven minute spell in the first half - put the Purps into what turned out to be an unassailable advantage against the Premier Division champions, to give James Phillips' side their first Senior Cup victory in the club's 106-year history. The two sides meet once more in the final of the Russell Cotes Cup on May 8 at Stoneham Lane, with AFC Stoneham winning the toss to decide the venue. Our congratulations to all AFC Stoneham! Photo: Robin Caddy

CUP FINAL TICKETS

April 11, 2025
We are pleased to share that advance tickets for the Velocity Wessex League Cup final - between AFC Portchester and Hamble Club on May 5 - are now available to buy online. Priced £8 (adults), £4 (concessions) and £10 for a family ticket of an adult and up to two children. Just click the poster below to be redirected to the ticketing website:

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April 9, 2025
New Milton Town are Velocity Wessex League Division One champions for 2024/25. The Brickmakers came from behind at Hamworthy United to claim a 3-2 victory amid late drama at the County Ground on Tuesday night - Brad Snelling with the title-winning effort at the death. It's been a huge turn around in fortunes at the M.A. Hart Stadium, with the New Forest side finishing nineteenth only 12 months prior. Our congratulations to all at New Milton Town, who make a return to Step 5 for the first time since 2012/13. 

ROYALS ARE CHAMPIONS!

April 9, 2025
AFC Portchester have won the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division title following their 1-0 victory at Cowes Sports on Tuesday night. Marley Ridge's strike on 78 minutes proved to be decisive for Gav Spurway's side, who will grace Step 4 for the first time in the club's relatively short history.

SOUTHAMPTON SENIOR CUP FINAL

April 3, 2025
AFC Stoneham will face Millbrook in the final of the Southampton Senior Cup. The Premier Division rivals will go head-to-head at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, May 14 (7.30pm). The Purps earned their place with a 5-1 victory over plucky Hampshire Premier League outfit, Broughton, while Millbrook overcame Brockenhurst by the odd goal in three. SOUTHAMPTON SENIOR CUP - ROUTE TO THE FINAL We await details of admission on the night - please keep an eye out on our socials for this information.
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