Horsham YMCA F.C.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Horsham Young Mens' Christian Association F.C. are a football club based in Horsham, England.
They were established in 1898 and joined the Sussex County Football League Division Two in 1959. In the 1999-00 season, they reached the 4th round of the FA Vase. For the 2006-07 season, they are members of the new Isthmian League Division One South.
[edit] Club History
Horsham YMCA Football Club was formed in 1898. During the first 31 years of the club's existence they played at Lyons Field, the name of which is derived from the Bowes-Lyons family who owned a substantial amount of land around Horsham at one time. In 1929 the club moved to its present ground at Gorings Mead for which they were able to secure the freehold at a later date. In the early years 'YM' played in the Horsham and District League before moving to the Crawley League and subsequently to the Mid Sussex League. Their rise through the later two leagues was swift and facilitated the club's entry into the Sussex County League in 1959.
In that first season, YM finished twelfth out of fifteen and then began a gradual improvement. YM then spent seven years in Division 2 before gaining promotion in 1966 as Champion, two points ahead of Newhaven. During that season they dropped just FOUR points from 34 matches, scoring 141 goals in the process - a superb performance. The club gained Division 1 status along with Newhaven and remained there for sixteen seasons until the end of the 1981/82 season when unfortunately they were relegated. The best performances during that period were two consecutive third place finishes in 1977/78 and 1978/79.
Despite relegation the club bounced straight back as Division 2 champions in the following season. This time YM spent five seasons in the top division before being relegated for the second time in at the end of the season 1987/88. Promotion back to Division 1 for the third time was achieved by finishing third in 1994/95. The past six seasons have seen YM consolidate their Division 1 status by finishing twelfth, eighth, Thirteenth, a very creditable third in our Centenary Season and the last two seasons have seen them finish fifth.
During the last two seasons, all of YM's previous achievements were put into the shade and despite their league positions being disappointing fifth places, this was probably due to the enormous number of cup matche splayed.
In the season 1999/2000, YM had their best ever results in both the FA Cup and the FA Vase and it was only dubious decisions by Match Officials that halted progress in both competitions. In the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying round tie at home to Chelmsford City, the winning goal was scored by a player who was so far offside, the linesman probably did not notice him before it was too late, whilst in the FA Vase, a dubious penalty late in the second half ended YM's dreams of reaching Wembley, in the Fourth Round tie away at A.F.C. Totton.
During that season the club reached the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup, losing a close fought tie to Hastings Town, beating near neighbours, and 'friends over the fence' Horsham 4-0 in a Third round home tie in front of over 400 spectators.
In September 1999 the club's attendance record was smashed when a crowd of over 940 people crammed into 'The Mead' for the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup against Chelmsford City.
During the 2000/01 YM graciously bowed out of the FA Cup at Whyteleafe, and at Cowes Sports in the FA Vase, but reached the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup before losing to Bognor Regis. despite these three cup defeats, YM did manage to add Silverware to the Trophy Cabinet by winning the Sussex RUR Cup with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Burgess Hill Town, whilst the Reserve Team achieved a League and Cup double.
A rather disappointing 2001/02 saw a mid table league finish but another piece of silverware was brought back to the "The Mead", courtesy of an excellent 2-0 Good Friday defeat of Ringmer in the John O'Hara Cup Final at Wick.
The 2002/03 season saw the establishment of a Youth side at YM, the aim being to 'grow' new players over the next few years to participate in the senior teams. YM cruised high in the league all season, recording a record 22-1 victory over Littlehampton Town before finally being pipped into 3rd position at the end of the season. The Reserves finished mid-table and the new Youth team finished second in the Arun & Chichester League - Division One, losing out only on goal difference, however, they beat the League Champions 1-0 in the League Cup.
The 2003/04 saw 'YM' finish a disappointing 13th in the league, however, they bounced back the following year to win the Division One title by 15 clear points! However, somewhat disappointingly the club was unable to be promoted to the Ryman League due to ground improvements that were required.
In 2005/06 the club was able to repeat the title success wining the division title by 9 points and this time around they have been accepted into the Ryman League where they will be playing their football in the 2006/07 season.
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ashford Town (Kent) | Burgess Hill Town | Chatham Town | Corinthian-Casuals | Cray Wanderers | Croydon Athletic | Dartford | Dover Athletic | Dulwich Hamlet | Fleet Town | Godalming Town | Hastings United | Horsham YMCA | Kingstonian | Leatherhead | Maidstone United | Metropolitan Police | Molesey | Sittingbourne | Tooting and Mitcham United | Walton Casuals | Whyteleafe | edit |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
