CHRISTCHURCH HISTORY
CHRISTCHURCH is formed in 1885 and played in the Hants & Dorset FA Junior Cup competition and a record of 14 matches having been played in the season overall. There was a brief name change to become Priory FC in the 1920s, but the original name was readopted. The club are current members of the Wessex League, having joined in 1987.
Founded in 1885, Christchurch FC are celebrating over 125 years in local football and can claim to be one of the pioneers of Hampshire League soccer, as they were founder members of the Hampshire County FA in 1887 following the dissolution of the South Hants & 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.
In 1970 Christchurch gained the distinction of being the first club to win the Bournemouth Senior Cup 3 times in successive seasons. 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 to Hurn Bridge with its excellent playing surface, envied by many and the superb floodlights that have been upgraded to almost 300 LUX giving one of the brightest readings in non-league football.
Christchurch's long association with Barrack Road Recreation ground, in the centre of the town, 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. The sports ground was formally 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 2 extensions to the club house. Bournemouth FA have established their headquarters at Hurn Bridge and in 1994 Dorset County Cricket also built their indoor cricket school on the site. Christchurch Cricket Club also play at the ground in the Dorset County Cricket League.
At the start of the 1995/96 season, the football club built a new 200 seat cantilever stand. A press box has now been installed in the stand along with facilities for video and radio communications.
In April 2003, Poole Sports Charitable Trust opted to use the get out clause in the long-term lease they had agreed with Christchurch Council for running the Hurn Bridge site. This led to the long-term lease for the entire complex being offered and eventually assigned to Christchurch FC Ltd., a totally separate operation from the playing side.
The club is very pro-active in youth development and has 7 teams playing in leagues from the age of 8 up to 15 years old, a very successful under 18's set up plus a thriving ladies team in the county league. Christchurch now has 11 teams under its umbrella operating at all levels up to the Wessex League. The club is now seeing the benefits of a strong youth policy with many of the youth players now holding regular positions in the first team.
At the end of the 2012/13 season Graham Kemp, after six successful seasons left the Club along with coach Jim Totczyk for rivals Winchester City but not before guiding the Club to a second season finishing at third place in the Wessex League, the Club also lost its reserve management team for personal reasons this meant a new start for everybody and the committee were pleased to appoint Michael Cuffie and Dave Morris to the first team manager roles and Leo Cabeleira and Mark Lowe to the reserve manager roles.
The 2013/14 season proved to be a difficult one for the club. Bob Sullivan joined Michael Cuffie after the departure of Dave Morris before the season got going with the playing squads at the start of the season decimated by players leaving for many varying reasons, which meant both the first and reserve teams had to recruit a large number of players though the situation did offer up opportunities for many of the successful under18's team to stake their claims for senior places alongside a small core of loyal players who remained with the club. A turbulent season saw the first team achieve a creditable 16t.h place and safely retain their place in the Wessex League top flight
At the start of the 2014/15 season a further managerial change with the First Team saw Adie Arnold take the reins supported by Danny Saxby following the resignations of Michael Cuffie and Bob Sullivan. This season was challenging with Church aiming for a top half position to build on last season’s achievements.
2015 saw a major change with the First Team moving to Division One after relegation from the Premier Division. The subsequent appointments of Ollie Cherrett as Manager and Chris Hart as Assistant Manager for the First Team have overseen major improvements. A strong finish in 2015/16 (sixth in League) and 2016/17 (fourth in League) have shown the steady progress the team is making under the current management team. It is confidently expected that this management team and players will take the First Team back into the Premier Division.
2017 saw a major milestone in the continued ground improvements. The changing room build was completed and in use from September 2017. This milestone was achieved with the tremendous support from sponsors, local companies and an enthusiastic band of volunteers. The changing rooms are dedicated to a former club player and will be officially named and opened as the 'Marc Burrows Complex' on the 19th of October 2017.
The club enjoys what is arguably one of the best playing surfaces in the league together with excellent floodlights. A progressive club by any standard with a continuing commitment to developing players of all ages and skills. The future looks very positive and all at Christchurch FC are looking forward to continuing success both on and off the pitch.
