EAST COWES VICTORIA ATHLETIC HISTORY
East Cowes Victoria Athletic Football Club (The Vic’s) were formed in 1885. The name incidentally is the longest registered with the English F.A. The Victoria part derives from the fact that the ground in Beatrice Avenue is part of the crown estate and in the area owned by Osborne House, the home of Queen Victoria.
For the first 30 years the club played only in the Island leagues. In 1889 the Isle of Wight F.A. introduced cup competitions including the Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup, this trophy is reported to be the most valuable football trophy in the world being made of solid gold. The only drawback is that if you win the Gold Cup you can’t keep it! Most clubs insure it for the annual presentation night and then return it to the bank.
In 1947 Vic’s joined Division 3 of the Hampshire League and spent nine seasons in Division 3, eighteen seasons in Division 2 and twelve in Division 1.
Without doubt the Vics most successful period was under the guidance of Graham Daish, who built a squad of all Island players good enough to win Hampshire League Division One Championship twice, the first time remaining unbeaten all season. The club also won the Isle of Wight Gold Cup seven times during this period.
One of the most important years in the Vics’ long history was 1968, when the club amalgamated with an East Cowes Junior side: East Cowes Athletic - thus becoming East Cowes Victoria Athletic.
The hard work of the committee enabled the club to progress into the Wessex League for the start of the 1987/88 season. Although the club lost key players before the start of the season they still managed to finish in 8th place and win the Wessex League Cup beating Romsey Town 2-0.
Then later, following relegation, the club formed a new committee and finished 4th in the Hampshire Premier Division. In 2001/02 season the Vics had their best season in recent years, when they narrowly missed out on promotion back to the Wessex League, finishing runners-up to Alton Town; but they did win the Hampshire Trophy-man Cup beating Liss Athletic 1-0.
In season 2003/04 Vics returned to the Wessex League after the Football Association’s restructuring of the leagues and have continued ever since in Wessex Division One.
The last few seasons proved difficult for the club, but under the guidance of Manager Steve Brougham and his committed dugout team this came good for 2018/19 where the squad performed well finishing mid-table.
Richie Woodburn took over the managerial role when Steve Brougham stepped down and with Assistant Darren Arnold, saw us begin to climb the table early in the 2020-21 season until Covid closed down football. However, after that bright start, we are confident of continuing successfully when football resumes.
For the 2020/21 season our First Team continue in Wessex Division One, plus of course our Youth set-up in their various Isle of Wight leagues. The future looks good for all our teams and as always the club continues at the heart of the local community.
