Alveston FC Club History
12 Jul 2010

The original club was known as Alveston United from 1912 to 1914, matches were played on the village green of Alveston. The club dropped the United when it was reformed in 1924 as Alveston Football Club. During these early years Alveston achieved their first silverware when they were crowned champions of the Stratford and District League in consecutive seasons 1924/25 and 1925/26, the team picture from this winning era is now proudly on display in the club house, thanks to Mr Patrick Goode who found the 86 year old picture in his loft and kindly donated it to the club, which allowed our current club history to be re-written.

The Stratford and District title was the first of many cup trophies and league honours to be won while competing in what eventually became the Stratford Alliance League, which included playing matches down on the Recreation Ground in front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The addition of a sports ground in 1975 to the Home Guard Club in Tiddington saw Alveston put down roots at the Main Street site. For 20 years Alveston were proud to be associated with The Stratford Alliance League winning pretty much all the Divisional and Cup trophies over many successful seasons. All this club progress was achieved under the stewardship of long serving President Geoff Bennett, ably assisted by Secretary Ken Unitt and Chairman Phil Beese.

In the 1996-97 season, having applied and been accepted to join the Midland Football Combination Division 3, the club were promoted in their first season, under the guidance of Player Manager Martin Beese and then the following year into Division 1 whilst winning the Jack Mould Trophy.

The clubs meteoric rise continued the following year 1997-98 under new Player Manager Steve Sykes as Martin Beese moved up to Chair the club and the team being crowned as Division 1 champions by clear 14 points, whilst carrying off the coveted Smedley Crooke Cup.

The best was yet to come, in the first season in the Premier Division “The Big League” 1998-99 the club played the majority of the season ground sharing at Racing Club Warwick, the nomadic life style seemed to suite the players and a season unparalleled in local non-league football unfolded.

Winning the Premiership title with 5 games to go, whilst negotiating their way through many tough games to end up in all four finals of those cups entered was outstanding.

The first was the Birmingham County Vase against Knowle FC and the second was the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup Final against Nuneaton Griff and played at Highfield Road the home of Coventry City F.C. unfortunately finishing runners up in the first two Finals after very closely contested matches.

The third cup final saw the club retain the Smedley Crooke Cup beating Northfield Town 1-0 at the Studley BKL ground.

The climax of this fantastic season was yet to come The Challenge Cup Final at Villa Park two days after the ground had been packed to the rafters hosting the last ever European Cup Winners Cup which saw Sven-Goran Erikssons Lazio side beat Mallorca 2-1.

A superb performance at Villa Park saw Alveston complete the League and cup treble with a hard earnt 2-0 victory over Coventry Sphinx. Even “The Sun” newspaper reported the amazing story comparing the clubs achievements with their Premiership peers Manchester United. A season to remember and a long history of great progress. The season became complete with the installing of floodlights at their Home Guard Club ground.

Since then, Alveston have had mixed fortunes with the re-formation of a hugely successful Junior section with now 12 teams including a Girls Team and the First Team find themselves with a new squad of mainly young players under the guidance of manager, Mike Cheslin and coach Andy Taylor. Andy left Alveston at the age of 16 to take up a professional Apprenticeship at Aston Villa for which the club received a £100 cheque from the revered Mr Doug Ellis.

The philosophy of the club comprising Dads and Lads continues.

Last season 2009/10 was a great success with the First Team returning to winning ways at the Ricoh Stadium home of Coventry City where the Coventry Charity Cup which has got to be one of the largest solid silver cups in Non league football was won against a strong Copeswood team 2-1. The players had a great day which started by a training session at The Home Guard Club followed by lunch at Mr Chan’s then new team tracksuits sponsored by local companies Needham & James, The Queens Head, QA Windows, Crown Cleaners, JD Sports and Howdens. And new kit was also provided by team sponsor Senate Business Services, with Alveston U8’s on duty as mascots.
This hugely proud day for the current club structure was capped by the First Team gaining promotion back into the Mid Comb Premier which came by finishing a very credible 3rd in Division 1 by just one point and the fact that club has the facilities to be promoted.

This Season 2010/11 will not only see Alveston First Team back in “The Big League” of the Premier but also the return of Alveston Reserves with old boy Tony Mercer taking a team into the Midland Combination Division 3.

Sponsors for the new season are to be Senate Business Services of Warwick and Budgens Southam
Updated June 2010.