Christchurch

Any donations to help keep this site running would be gratefully accepted. Please click the Donations button above should you wish to make a donation. And thank you.

Ground: Hurn Bridge Sports Ground, Avon Causeway, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6AH.

Telephone: 01202 473792

Chairman:

Secretary: Dawn Page

Manager: Andy Leader

Directions to ground

A338 from Ringwood, turn off signposted Hurn Airport on left. Before Airport use mini-roundabout and take next exit signed to Sopley. Ground is immediately on the right. 3 miles from Christchurch train station.

Club History

Founded in 1885, Christchurch FC can claim to be one of the pioneers of Hampshire League soccer, as they were founder members of the Hampshire FA in 1887 following the dissolution of the South Hants and Dorset FA and the consequential formation of the Dorset FA.

Christchurch's first honours on local soccer fields came in 1893 when they won the Hampshire Junior Cup. The team was then known locally as the "Can't Whack Ems" and further successes were achieved in this competition in 1912 and 1921.

Between the wars, Christchurch were members of the Bournemouth and Hampshire County Leagues. In 1938 they gained promotion to Hants 1 for the first time by winning the Hants 2 Championship.

Like most clubs of long standing, Christchurch have enjoyed mixed fortunes during their long history. They have been relegated to Hants 2 & 3 and then climbed back to the top sphere again, winning Hants 2 again in 1948 and 1986 and Hants 3 in 1953.

In 1970 Christchurch gained the distinction of being the first club to win the Bournemouth Senior Cup three times in successive seasons. They also won the Bournemouth Pickford Cup in 1977 and in 1987 they won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup.

Christchurch gained admission to the Wessex League in the 1987/88 season and they are one of the few clubs still retaining their amateur status. Despite competition from neighbouring clubs, they still succeed in attracting a loyal band of players who enjoy their football at Hurn Bridge and the amenities of the Sports Club.

Christchurch's long association with Barrack Road Recreation Ground (near the town centre) ended at the start of the 1984/85 season when the club accepted the opportunity provided by Christchurch Borough Council to move its headquarters to Hurn Bridge with its excellent clubhouse facilities.

This sports ground was formerly owned by British Aerospace and a substantial investment was made initially by the Council, Football Club and Sports Club on various ground improvements, including the provision of floodlights, covered accommodation for spectators and two extensions to the clubhouse. Bournemouth FA have established their headquarters at Hurn Bridge and in 1994 Dorset CCC also established their indoor cricket school on the site.

At the start of the 1995/96 season, the football club built a new 200 seat cantilever stand and made other ground improvements to meet the requirements of the Jewson Wessex League and FA Competitions.

In July 1996, Christchurch Borough Council entrusted the management of the Hurn Bridge Sports Complex to Poole Sports Charitable Trust Limited and the clubhouse has been completely refurbished.

Before the start of the 2000/01 season, a press box was installed in the stand and additional seating provided for home and visiting club officials, with further ground improvements being planned, including the provision of new dressing rooms as and when funds become available.

The club hope that with the help and co-operation of all concerned, the facilities at Hurn Bridge will ultimately be second to none in the area.

Club Honours

1987-88 Joined Wessex League

FA Records

F.A. CUP

1999-00 PRE BRIDPORT H 1-1 at Wimborne Town

PREr BRIDPORT A 4-2

1Q BRISLINGTON H 1-0

2Q WORCESTER CITY H 2-3

2000-01 PRE MANGOTSFIELD UNITED A 2-4

2001-02 PRE BACKWELL UNITED A 1-0

1Q BRISTOL MANOR FARM H 2-0

2Q CIRENCESTER TOWN H 1-3

2002-03 EP WILLAND ROVERS H 3-0 at Wimborne Town

PRE MERTHYR TYDFIL A 0-3

2003-04 EP DEVIZES TOWN A 4-0

PRE BITTON A 4-3

1Q WESTBURY UNITED H 2-3

F.A. VASE

1989-90 EP BISHOPS CLEEVE H 0-0

EPr BISHOPS CLEEVE A 1-2

1990-91 EP BROCKENHURST H 2-1

PRE TROWBRIDGE TOWN H 0-2

1991-92 EP FLEET TOWN H 1-3

1993-94 EP PETERSFIELD UNITED A W/O

PRE BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS A 2-1

1 NORTH LEIGH A 1-3

1994-95 PRE PETERSFIELD TOWN H 2-3

1995-96 2Q SHERBORNE TOWN A 1-3

1996-97 2Q COWES SPORTS H 3-1

1 DEVIZES TOWN A 1-0

2 MANGOTSFIELD UNITED H 0-2

1997-98 1Q SANDHURST TOWN H 0-2

1998-99 2Q THAMESMEAD TOWN A 0-1

1999-00 2Q BACKWELL UNITED H 3-1

1 BRIDGWATER TOWN H 1-0

2 ELMORE H 0-3

2000-01 1Q BRIDPORT A 2-2

1Qr BRIDPORT H 2-5

2001-02 2Q MINEHEAD TOWN A 6-2

1 DEVIZES TOWN A 3-2

2 COWES SPORTS A 0-2

2002-03 1Q POOLE TOWN A 0-0

1Qr POOLE TOWN H 2-0

2Q ODD DOWN H 2-0

1 TUFFLEY ROVERS H 4-2

2 TORRINGTON H 3-2

3 WELTON ROVERS A 5-0

4 DEVIZES TOWN A 1-3

2003-04 2 ANDOVER H