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WALSHAM LE WILLOWS FOOTBALL CLUB HISTORY
The Meadow has been the home of the village football and cricket clubs going back to the late 1800s and the old pavilion still survives on the far side of the ground, originally this had a thatched roof and water was carried across to it by bucket and then a two wheeled hand water cart was pulled across by the players. With no electricity in the original building changing could be somewhat hazardous after the game on a cold December Saturday. Football and cricket were both played at the present ground in Summer Road until the outbreak of war when the field was ploughed up to provide land suitable to grow food on. There is some confusion regarding the road that the ground stands on to this day because the signs erected by the highways authority show different names at each end of the road, Sumner Road at the main road and Summer Road at the village end. Football started up again after the war and was played at Grove Road in the village from 1947 and the club competed in the Bury & District league Division 2. A new pitch was developed on Gallents Meadow in Ixworth Road and used from 1948 to 1951 (the reserve side was formed in 1949 to compete in the Bury village league) when the club moved back to its present site after the generosity of the Martineau family provided the grass seed to reseed the field. Originally the pitch was across the field but upon the resumption of football at the meadow the direction of the pitch was changed to allow a new cricket square to be laid in the centre of the field. The thatched pavilion was still in use and the additions of calor gas for lighting and a calor gas boiler for tea making improved the facilities for everyone. The amalgamation of the cricket and football clubs in 1952 then formed Walsham le Willows Sports Club. The original football stand was built in the 1950s with the new pavilion in 1973, mains electricity was added at this time and the addition of a bar and lounge area followed soon after with the snooker room, kitchen and car park added the following year. The clubs teams have participated in the Bury & District league, Bury Village league, Stowmarket league, Suffolk & Ipswich league and now the Ridgeons league. As a junior side the club won the Suffolk Junior cup three years running in 87-88, 88-89, and 89-90 after being beaten finalists in 73-74. Numerous Bury and district titles and cups were won before entering the Suffolk & Ipswich league in 89-90, promotion to the senior league was achieved in that season and was quickly followed by relegation before we established ourselves as a senior side in 97-98 by finishing in 4th position. League positions then went 3rd and 4th with the league knock out cup being won in both seasons. Current manager Paul Smith was appointed for the following campaign and the league record then went 4th, 1st,1st and 2nd with one league knock out cup victory.
Season 2004-05 was our first in the Ridgeons league and we finished 4th with our first ever Suffolk Senior cup final appearance at Portman Road. The following season cup success was achieved at Portman Road by winning the Suffolk Senior cup in a thrilling extra time 4-3 victory over Capel Plough. A creditable 5th position was achieved in the league and our first ever appearance in the F A Cup. The installation of floodlights, new changing rooms and the 100 seat stand give us a facility to be proud of and in season 06-07 we became champions of Division One after exiting all cup competitions early. This is our Fourth season in the Ridgeons Premier and after 10 very successful seasons with Paul Smith in charge he has decided to stand down and take a well deserved rest. New manager Chris Soanes (Pauls assistant for many seasons) is now in charge to carry on the good work. Chris has worked hard during the close season to bring in some fresh faces including ex professional Gavin Johnson who played for Ipswich, Wigan and Colchester amongst his clubs. With the "A" team gaining promotion to Division 3 of the Suffolk & Ipswich league last season, we also have our reserves playing in the Ridgeons reserve league and the U18 side in the Ridgeons Floodlit league. Hopefully during this season we should receive good news about a development over the road from the present site which will include 3 further grass pitches, car park, tennis court and an artificial grass surface under floodlights.
WALSHAM LE WILLOWS FOOTBALL CLUB HONOURS
Peel Cup Winners Walsham Reserves 2010 - 2011
Sunday U18 Division Champions 2010 - 2011
Ross Taylor Cup Winners Walsham 'A' Team 2009-2010
SIL Division 4 Champions Walsham 'A' Team 2009-2010
Eastern Counties League (Ridgeons) Division One Champions 2006-07
Ridgeons Reserve North Div. Runners-up 2008-2009
Ridgeons Reserve North Div. Champions 2007-08
Ridgeons U18 Central Div. Champions 2007-08
Suffolk & Ipswich League (SIL) Senior Champions 2001-02 and 2002-03.
SIL Senior Division Runners-up 2003-04.
SIL Omnico Cup Winners 98-99, 99-2000, 2001-02.
SIL Omnico Cup Finalists 02-03.
Suffolk Senior Cup Winners 2005-06.
Suffolk Senior Cup Finalists 2004-05.
SIL Intermediate A Champions 2001-02.
SIL Intermediate B Champions 96-97
SIL Ryan Cup Winners 2004-05
SIL Division One Champions 89-90, 94-95.
Suffolk Junior Cup Winners 87-88, 88-89, 89-90.
Suffolk Junior Cup Finalists 73-74
SIL Division Four Champions 2000-01.
SIL Division Six Champions 96-97
SIL Orwell Cup Winners 96-97, 97-98, 99-00, 02-03.
SIL Senior Club of the Season 2001-02 and 2002-03.
SIL Junior Club of the Season 89-90.
Bury Sunday League Div Four Champions 2001-02.
Bury Sunday League Div Four K.O.Cup winners 01-02.
Bury Sunday League Div Two K.O. Cup Winners 04-05.
THETFORD TOWN RES 4 WALSHAM RES 1
29 January, 2012 —
After some decent performances from the Reserves over the last few weeks this was not up to the standard expected.
Walsham took the lead through CLARRIDGE, his first goal for the club with a great run and shot.
But the team could not hold out till half, with a Thetford forward rounding keeper Jackson to score after some poor defending by Walsham.
The second half Thetford took their chances well and sent Walsham home pointless, let’s hope we don’t have another performance like this again this season from a Walsham Reserve side again.
THE CLUB WELCOME BACK ANDREW CUSSACK
29 January, 2012 —
Andy Cussack has returned after a spell at Dereham Town.
Andrew will be a great addition to the team.
WALSHAM FIRST TEAM 0 HADLEIGH UTD 0
29 January, 2012 —
Walsham-le-Willows 0
Hadleigh United 0
Half time: 0 - 0
Kick off: 15:00, Saturday, January 28 2012
Walsham and Hadleigh played out a goalless draw as both sides ended the game with ten men.
The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and as the first half wore on both Brown and Hughes forced Plummer to make saves while Diaper shot just over the bar.
Hadleigh captain Rose was sent off for a second bookable offence with five minutes of the first-half remaining.
As the second half wore on Wade and Deacon were causing Walsham problems and McAnally was forced into some excellant saves. Walsham carved out an opening but Foster shot straight at Plummer and with seconds remaining, Newman was sent off for retaliation but McAnally saved the penalty kick and both sides shared the spoils.
Report by Nick Garnham - Green'Un
GOALKEEPER REQUIRED
29 January, 2012 —
The Reserves are looking for a Goalkeeper, also to be the understudy for First Team Goalkeeper.
Contact Andy on 07739 172658 or 07970 111034
FACEBOOK
We now have a FACEBOOK Page, click on FACEBOOK icon on Welcome page to enter
PLAYER SPONSORSHIP NOW AVAILABLE FOR SEASON 2011/2012
From £35 you can now sponsor a player from any of the Teams.
Have a look at the players already sponsored, pictures are on the wall in the Club House.
Contact the Managers or a Committee Member
NEW YOUTH SECTION
A Youth Section has been added to the Web Site new items will follow on this section.
NEW PLAYERS ARE WANTED FOR ALL TEAMS IN THE YOUTH SECTION PLEASE CONTACT:-
Hon Secretary: Beverley Rust Tel: 01359-259494
14 Mill Close, Walsham-Le-Willows IP31 1BW
Email: bev.rust@talk21.com
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