Waterlooville F.C.
Full name | Waterlooville Football Club |
---|---|
Founded | 1905 |
Dissolved | 1998 |
Ground | Jubilee Park, Waterlooville |
1997–98 | Southern League Division One South, 10/22 |
Waterlooville F.C. was an English football club based in Waterlooville, Hampshire. They were known as "The Ville" and played at Jubilee Park in Aston Road. They ceased to exist in 1998 when they merged with Havant Town to form Havant & Waterlooville.
History
The club was established in 1905 and initially played in the Waterlooville and District League.[1] Shortly before World War II they joined the Portsmouth League, immediately winning the Division Three title. After the war they won Division Two and after a few years in Division One they managed to win the title three times in a row. In 1953 they joined the Hampshire League and in 1968–69 reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, where they lost 2–1 to Kettering Town.[2]
In 1971 the club were promoted to Division One South of the Southern League. They won the division in their first season and were promoted to the Premier Division.[3] However, they finished bottom of the Premier Division the following season and were relegated back to Division One South.[3] In 1976–77 they reached the first round of the FA Cup again, losing 2–1 at home to Wycombe Wanderers in a match which set the Jubilee Park attendance record of 4,500.[2] When the league was reorganised in 1982 they were placed in the Premier Division, but were relegated back to Division One South in 1982–83, despite also reaching the final of the Southern League Cup, losing to Alvechurch.[3] The following season, under the stewardship of manager John Milkins, they again reached the first round of the FA Cup, holding Northampton Town to two 1–1 draws, before losing a second replay 2–0.[2]
Ville lifted the Southern League Cup in 1986–87 after winning both legs of the two-legged final against Hednesford Town. The following season they finished second and were promoted back to the Premier Division.[3] In 1988–89 they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the fourth and final time, losing 4–1 at home to Aylesbury United.[2] They remained in the Premier Division until relegation at the end of the 1993–94 season.[3] In 1998 the club merged with Havant Town to form Havant & Waterlooville.[2] Residential housing, known as Coronation Road, was built on the site of Jubilee Park. The rows of poplar trees which marked the southern and western boundaries of the football ground remain.
Honours
- Southern League
Former players
1. Players that have played/managed in the Football League or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
- Billy Gilbert (footballer)
- Paul Hardyman
- Vince Hilaire
- Joe Laidlaw
- Mick Mellows
- John Milkins
- Paul Moody
- David Munks
- Gary Stanley
- Bobby Stokes
- Jim Storrie
- Ken Todd
- Guy Whittingham
2. Players with full international caps.
3. Players that hold a club record or have captained the club.