St Margaretsbury

July 3, 2011

History

The Club was founded in 1894 as Stanstead Abbotts, with their home at Mill Field, Cappell Lane in Stanstead Abbotts. Prior to 1940 they played in the Herts County League, East Herts and Hertford & District Leagues and were winners of the local Graphic Cup during the 1920s and 1930’s. After 1945 the Club played in the Waltham & District League, re-joining the Herts County League in season 1947/48. In their first season back in the Herts County League the Club won Division two, gaining promotion and also winning the Aubrey (League) Cup.

In 1962 the Club moved to their present location, St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground, one of the conditions being they change their name to St Margaretsbury FC.

The Croft family were the previous owners of the ground and agreed the sale to three parishes, Stanstead Abbotts, Great Amwell and St Margarets, providing that it was used for sporting and recreation purposes. It was also a condition that the ground should be known as St Margaretsbury Recreation Ground. St Margaretsbury Cricket Club has used the ground since 1946 and in 1962 the St Margaretsbury Tennis Club was founded.

The Club’s next honour was in 1972 when again they won the Aubrey Cup. In 1985/86 they entered the FA Vase competition for the first time and although losing out in the 3rd round, they played to a record crowd of almost 400. In the same season the Aubrey Cup Final was also strongly contested with Wingate winning 3-1. After a spell of 10 years in the Premier Division the 1st XI were briefly relegated to Division One at the end of the 1987/88 season, but returned to the Premier Division at the start of 1991/92.

After a spell of 44 continuous years in the Herts Senior County League the 1st XI became members of the London Spartan League, Premier Division for the start of season 1992/93, finishing in a very creditable 6th place. The 1st XI also reached the final of the Roy Bailey Memorial Trophy, losing 1-0 to close neighbours Wormley Rovers, at Enfield. But that season also saw the Club gain its first County Cup when winning the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy, defeating Sawbridgeworth Town 2-1 at Ware.

When the 1st XI team joined the London Spartan League in the 1992/93 season, the Reserves and the 3rd XI also had to leave the Herts Senior County League and so became members of the McMullens Hertford & District League. The Reserves and 3rd XI have achieved considerable success during the past 20 years, winning championships and cup competitions in the Herts Senior County League and McMullens Hertford & District League.

By 1993/94 the 1st XI’s league position had progressed to finish 3rd and they then topped that in 1994/95 by finishing 2nd. In 1995/96 the Club celebrated its 4th season in the Spartan League by winning the Premier Division Championship, winning 18 out of 30 games and pipping Hillingdon Borough by 2 points. The Reserves and the 3rd X1 made it a treble of Championships by winning their respective Divisions in the McMullen’s Hertford and District League. The Roy Bailey Memorial Trophy was also won that same season, defeating Ware 2-0 at Enfield FC.

In 1994 the Club celebrated its centenary and published a book covering the Club’s 100 years history.

Floodlights were installed in October 1997 and in 1997/98 season the 1st XI won the Herts Charity Shield for the first time, defeating London Colney on penalties following a 0-0 draw. In 1998/99 the 1st XI were accepted into the newly formed Minerva Footballs Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division, having finished 9th in the Premier Division South the previous season.

The ”Sunday Section” was revived in 1986 with success at both youth and senior levels with the Herts Sunday Junior Cup being won in 1994 and again in 1995. Since then they have won a number of league and cup competitions within the Mercury Waltham & District League (seniors) and the Mid-Herts Rural Minors League. There are currently one men’s and three youth teams competing in Sunday Football.

In season 1995/96 all three teams won their respective divisions in the London Spartan League Premier Division, McMullens Hertford & District League Premier Division and Division 3. In season 1997/98 the Reserves were accepted into the Essex & Herts Border Combination. In the 1999/2000 season they won promotion to the Premier Division also winning the Combination Cup, beating Harlow Town 2-0.

Since 1998/99 the Club has entered an Under 18 team in the Southern Counties Midweek Floodlight Youth League. In this season 2003/04 our youth team (U18) have entered the Youth FA Cup for the first time

Another Milestone was reached in 2000/01 when the Club qualified for entry into the FA Cup and has earned the reputation of giant killers having disposed of more senior opposition in successive competitions. In 2001/02, the Club was awarded the Houghton Regis Cup by the Spartan South Midlands League for achievements in the FA Cup competition, after victories were recorded against Gorleston, Hertford Town and Wembley before succumbing to Stafford Rangers. In the same season the Club gained its first Spartan South Midlands League competitive trophy, when they won the Premier Division Cup, beating Potters Bar Town 2-0 in the final.

The 2001/02 season also saw the withdrawal of the Reserves from the Essex & Herts Border Combination due to the long midweek journeys involved and the team reverted to competing in the McMullens Hertford & District League for the 2002/03 season. In the season 2003/04 there was another good run in the FA Cup, having negotiated three rounds before going down to Kettering Town 0-2 away. In the same season, the South Midland Floodlit Cup was won with 3-2 victory against Wooton Blue X and finished 3rd in the league. In 2003/04 the Reserves joined the newly formed World Class Homes Senior Reserves League (Herts County League), which unfortunately disbanded in 2004/05 due to lack of support. The Reserves then joined the Spartan South Midlands League Reserve Division One.

Post Millennium saw major redevelopment of the Recreation Ground with the conversion of the training area to a full size pitch suitable for FA Cup competition. This resulted in a complement of two senior pitches and one junior. In 2002 grants from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Local Authority facilitated various improvements such as major drainage works on the main playing surface, an extension to the covered seating area, fencing for the enclosure of the playing and spectator areas and the installation of a PA System. Added security was also provided with the installation of CCTV equipment.

St Margaretsbury Girls' and Women's teams existed for a number of years and in the 2003/04 season they amalgamated to start playing in the Eastern Region Women’s League. Unfortunately this folded in season 2004/05 following difficulty in recruiting players.

Season 2004/05 saw major changes in management and key players, and although viewed as a building season the club still managed a credible 7th place in the Premier Division. The robustness and foundation of the club continues to build in season 2005/06 with the introduction of additional youth teams now ranging from under 12’s up to under 18’s into the senior team.

The robustness and foundation of the club continues to build in season 2005/06 introduced additional youth teams ranging from under 12’s up to under 18’s into the senior team. A good FA Cup run, with a 3-2 away win against Isthmian League Premier Division club Billericay Town, only to be knocked out 1-0 by Folkestone Invicta. A tough league season followed with the Bury finishing 12th.

Season 2006/07 has witnessed major changes within the committee and team management, with new Chairman, Treasurer, General Secretary and Team management. New and Youth players are starting to penetrate the first team squad, so it will be good to see how that develops over the season.

Season 2007/2008 saw yet further manager changes, former player Lee Judges joined the club as First team manager and brought coaching staff with him including Ray Greenall & Steve Sale. A development squad started for ages 4 – 10 year olds on Saturday Mornings. Success was seen throughout the club with both Under 18's & Under 16 squads having cup success. The first team finished a respectable 10th in a tough Premier League.