| Full name | Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Seagulls | ||
| Founded | 1887, Reformed 1948 | ||
| Ground | Woodspring Stadium, Weston-super-Mare (Capacity: 3,500 (350 seated)) |
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| Chairman | Paul Bliss | ||
| Manager | Craig Laird | ||
| League | Conference South | ||
| 2010–11 | Conference South, 12th | ||
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Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club (also known as The Seagulls) are an English semi-professional football club based in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, England. The club is affiliated to the Somerset County FA. The team's claim to fame is that they had never been relegated in their history, although bottom-three finishes in 2007 and 2008 and 2010 should have seen them relegated from the Conference South but there were reprieves all three occasions. The team's best performance in the FA Cup came in 2003–04 when they reached the second round of the competition.
Weston were founded in 1887, but disbanded twice (once for World War I, then again for World War II). The club were reformed in 1948 and have since moved up to Step 6 of the English football league system where they currently play today. In the 2006/07 season, Weston finished league play 21st out of 22 teams and seemed destined for their first relegation. However, due to financial irregularities at one club and the merging of two others, The Seagulls remained safe for another year.
Weston-super-Mare has a modest fan base and a fierce rivalry with local club Clevedon Town, who are situated in Clevedon, North Somerset. However, the rivalry has been put on the back-burner as of late since Weston-super-Mare gained promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 2002–2003, clinching promotion with a 1–0 win over rivals Clevedon. The two have not played in the same league since.
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Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. was formed in 1887,[1] with the team's first match being against near-neighbours Clevedon Town in a "Medal Competition" organised by the Somerset FA.[2] In 1900 they joined the Western Football League but left after two years.[3] In 1910 they rejoined this league and played there until World War I.[3]
Between the wars, the club played in local leagues but disbanded upon the outbreak of hostilities. The club reformed in 1948 and immediately rejoined the Western League, initially in Division Two.[4] At this time the team played at the Great Ground in Locking Road, where initially there was no cover for spectators and the players had to change in a marquee.[2] The team remained in the Second Division until the league consolidated to a single division in 1960. During this time they moved to the Langford Road Ground. In 1976 they were placed into the Western League Premier Division upon the creation of a second tier, meaning that by their centenary in 1987 they had never been promoted or relegated in their history.[2]
In 1989 John Ellener was appointed manager and led the club to the Western League championship in 1991–92 and with it promotion to the Southern League Midland Division.[5] They remained at this level, playing successively in the Midland, Southern, Midland (again) and Western Divisions due to the Southern League's regular reorganisations, until 2002–03 when they finished in second place and were promoted to the Premier Division, clinching promotion with a win away to rivals Clevedon Town.[2]
In their first Premier Division season they finished in 10th place, enough to clinch a place in the newly formed Conference South, where they played until 2006–07, in which they were seemingly relegated. However, Farnborough Town were relegated due to going into liquidation and Hayes and Yeading merged to form Hayes & Yeading United, leaving the Conference South one team short, earning a reprieve for Weston.[6] The 2007–08 season ended in similar fashion for Weston. A 20th place finish meant the club was eligible for relegation, only to be spared by the enforced demotion of Cambridge City, who failed a ground inspection.[7]
The club moved to the new purpose-built Woodspring Stadium in August 2004. They previously played at the similarly named Woodspring Park a short distance away. The move marked the third time in the past 40 years that Weston-super-Mare have changed venues. The capacity of Woodspring Stadium is 3,500 in which 2,000 is covered and 350 are seated.[8]
Woodspring Park had been built almost entirely by supporters and boasted a clubhouse costing £100,000.[9] The Park had been the home of Weston-super-Mare since 1983 and had floodlights installed in 1986.[9] Weston-super-Mare sold this ground to a residential home builder when it became apparent the club was going to move the short distance to Woodspring Stadium. The last home fixture was played in April 2004.[8]
The ground for what is now Woodspring Stadium was formerly a sporting complex owned by Westland Aircraft known as Westland Sports Ground. It was home to cricket and football in addition to social buildings. Difficult financial times forced Westland to reconsider their place in town and put the ground up for sale. Weston-super-Mare purchased it for £270,000 in 2001.[8] The Stadium opened August 14, 2004, with its first match against Conference South opponent (and now defunct) Hornchurch drawing only 500 people to the game. This was well under the 3,500 capacity.
As of May 2011 [10] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Appearances while with Weston-super-Mare
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Craig Laird | Scottish |
| Assistant manager | Jon Haile | English |
| Physio | David Callow | English |
| Kit man | David Williams, Jr. | English |
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Paul Bliss | English |
| President | Dennis Usher | English |
| Company secretary | Bill Hammill | English |
| Financial director | Paul Macey | English |
| Groundsman | Bob Flaskett | English |