Malshanger Sports F.C.

Malshanger F.C.
Full nameMalshanger Football Club
Founded1967
Dissolved1997
GroundMalshanger Estate

Malshanger F.C. were a long running amateur football club based in Malshanger – a small hamlet located to the south-east of the town of Basingstoke in north Hampshire.

Playing on a private seven-acre sports field, they represented the football section of the parent Malshanger Sports & Social Club.

History

Malshanger were formed in 1967 and spent their early days playing local Basingstoke Sunday football with great success.[1] Eventually, the transition was made to Saturdays, and due to their excellent playing record and fine facilities, they went straight into Division 2 of the North Hants League, winning promotion at the second attempt.

In 1979, Malshanger won the title and made a successful application to join the Hampshire League Division 4 where they quickly settled. A year later, when the competition was restructured to three larger divisions, they were placed in the third tier. [2] Here they soon became regular promotion contenders, and in 1985, a fourth place finish was rewarded with promotion. Two years later, after a vast number of the competitions top clubs departed to join the newly formed Wessex League, they were then placed in a restructured Division 1, but were relegated. [3]

Malshanger soon re-grouped and got back on track. Their finest hour came in 1991 when they won both the Division 2 title and the Hampshire Intermediate Cup. [4]

This time, they were better prepared for the top-flight and a year later finished in fifth place for what was their highest final position. However, after a series of steady seasons they were relegated in 1997.[5] Malshanger started the following campaign back in Division 2, but having just managed to fulfil their opening fixture, they were unable to raise a team thereafter leading to their withdrawal and an abrupt end to their 30 year existence.[6]

Honours

Hampshire League record 1979–97

Ground

The Malshanger Estate was a private seven-acre sports field incorporating a cricket square and two pitches which were provided for their exclusive use by Sir Michael Colman (of Colman’s Mustard fame). Close by was a spacious clubhouse with adjoining squash court and two bowling greens. Despite its rural setting, the venue was a popular choice for hosting local Basingstoke cup finals.

Local rivalries

During their existence, Malshanger enjoyed a long running local rivalry with a number of clubs in the area. These mostly included Overton United, Portals Athletic and Whitchurch United.

References

  1. ^ Basingstoke Football League Centenary by Norman Gannaway
  2. ^ Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887–1987 by Norman Gannaway
  3. ^ Malshanger FC 1988/89 official programme - compiled by Derek Litchfield
  4. ^ A History of the Hampshire League 1896–1996 by Norman Gannaway
  5. ^ A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
  6. ^ https://fchd.info/lghist/hants1998.htm
  7. ^ Hampshire Football Association Yearbook 2015/16
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