HAMWORTHY UNITED HISTORY
The roots of HAMWORTHY UNITED FC go much further back than 1970 as a team known as Hamworthy St Michael’s was formed back in the 1890s. Hamworthy FC was formed in 1926 and a move to the present home, which had been known as The Nursery Ground, occurred in 1950.
The current team was formed from a 1970 merger between the Hamworthy and Trinidad Old Boys clubs in this featured year, Hamworthy FC having missed out in the Dorset Combination League in the previous season due to ‘administrative problems’, making it a good time to improve its structure. So, the United club, as we know it now, is completing its Golden Jubilee year in 2020. The Hammers have been members of the Wessex League since being promoted from the Dorset Premier League in 2004.
A team was first formed in the 1890's called Hamworthy St Michael's, winning their first trophy the Whitehead Minor Cup in the 1899/00 season. Hamworthy FC was formed in 1926 and moved to the present ground The County Ground (formally known as The Nursery) in 1950. Hamworthy United FC was formed from a merger between Hamworthy FC and Trinidad Old Boys FC in 1970/71 after missing the 1969/70 season in the Dorset Combination League due to administration problems.
The County Ground was renamed the Specsavers County Ground by the Dorset County Football Association the leaseholders in 2018.
Hamworthy United First Team have been members of the Wessex League Premier Division since winning promotion at the start of the 2004/05 season from the Dorset Premier League. The Hammer's Second Team was promoted from the Dorset First Division at the end of the 2004/05 to play in the Dorset Premier League.
They dropped out of that League at the end of the 2017/18 season with the intention of entering a Development Team in its place in the Wyvern League. With Chairman the late Steve Harvey and his new Board of Directors keen to see Hamworthy United develop their own talent an Under16 team was started in 2018 followed by an Under15 team in 2019.
Hamworthy United has had great success at all levels over the years in various competitions. After winning the Dorset Combination/Premier league two years running they were promoted in the 2004/05 Season to Wessex League Division 1.
Hamworthy won the League Cup in their first season beating Thatcham Town in the final at Christchurch. They reached the final again in the 2008/09 season, but this time lost to VTFC 2-1 after a very close contest.
The Hammers won the Dorset Combination Cup in the 1997/98 season against Wareham Rangers, and the Dorset Senior Cup in the 2005/06 season against Poole Town. Hamworthy lost to Eastleigh Town in the second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in the 2007/08 and went out to Basingstoke Town at the same stage in 2008/09.
Hamworthy have had several good runs in the FA Vase one of their best being in the 2008/09 when they got as far as the Third Qualifying Round where they lost to Hungerford. The Hammers once again reached the Final of the Dorset Senior Cup in 2013/14 when managed by Graham Kemp but lost it 2-0 to Poole Town.
They again reached the Second Qualifying round of the FA Cup in 2015/16 this time going out to two late goals scored by the much higher ranked Bideford. In 2018/19 United got as far as the Fourth Qualifying Round (the last 32) in the FA Vase, but just lost out to Willand Rovers away at their ground 1-0.
The Under Eighteen’s have also won several honours over the years winning both the League and the Dorset Youth Cup in the 1987/88 season. They were the Dorset Youth Division 2 Champions in the 2003/04, and again won the Cup in season 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13, and 2014 /15.
They also won the Division 1 Title and the League Cup in 2014/15 making it their most successful season to date. In 2007/08 The South West Youth League Team won promotion to the first Division but declined to go up due to the extra cost of travelling involved. The Sunday side in their first and only season 2008/9 won the Dorset Sunday First Division. They had to pull out at the end season due to running costs.
Hamworthy United, after years of playing on a very difficult pitch, and with very limited facilities and resources, saw things begin to change when the County FA decided to upgrade the Ground in 2016. This included a new all-weather artificial pitch as well as new floodlights and surrounds.
Shortly afterwards the Club received the news that due to the generous legacy of club stalwart Stan Wallis and his wife Betty, together with a grant from the Football Stadia Foundation Fund, the club could at long last be able to double the size of the Clubhouse and Bar to generate more income.
Harry Redknapp performed the opening ceremony of the Clubhouse in October 2017 followed by a match between Hamworthy United and a Dorset Representative Team. Other changes at that time saw the Club become a Limited Company headed by the late Steve Harvey as Chairman and four other Directors including the Club President Bruce Scammell.
Season 2021/22 was one for the memory, with a semi-final appearance in the FA Vase - the club missing out on a date at Wembley by virtue of a penalty shoot out against eventual winners, Newport Pagnell Town. Never the less, a proud run, with the disappointment soon softened somewhat in going on to claim the Wessex Premier League crown, and promotion to the Southern League.
Financial burdens saw the Dorset-based side resign from the Southern League in 2023/24, having since made a renaissance in being accepted back into Division One of the Wessex League for 2024/25.
