Falmouth Town AFC


A Brief History

FALMOUTH TOWN joined the old Cornwall Senior league before becoming founder members of the South Western League in 1951-52, and until this time it was their near neighbours, FALMOUTH DOCKS who provided the only Senior football in the town.

The club has played under the banner of Falmouth Town FC off and on since the turn of the century and after the Second World War were playing in Junior football in a mid-week Wednesday League.

The new Falmouth Town has had a number of homes over the years and have been housed at the Recreation Ground, Union Corner (twice), Ashfield (where the Shell-Mex depot used to stand) and finally in 1957 to the purposely built Bickland Park. Town's move to Bickland Park came about by selling the Ashfield ground to Shell-Mex BP for £20,000 in the mid 1950's, a sum in those days which was considered a fortune.

Ex-Birmingham City goalkeeper Ken Tewkesbury was most resposible for bringing senior football to Falmouth in 1950 and by the late 50's the club had introduced professionalism on a large scale. The first major trophy was achieved in1957-58 when defeating Newquay in the S.W.L.Cup final at Truro and they retained the cup the following season, winning 6-3 against Truro City which still stands as a record today. Falmouth Town achieved a unique treble in 1961-62 when they won the S.W.L.Cup, the League Championship (for the first time) and their first Cornwall Senior Cup Final. It was Town's first appearance in the Easter Monday show piece and their 7-1 victory over St.Blazey is another record score in the long history of the competition. The domestic treble was again claimed in 1967-68, 1970-71 and of course last season, a feat that no other Cornish club has done.

Minehead v. Falmouth Town (hooped shirts) in the FA Cup 1967


In 1962-63 Falmouth became the first and only Cornish club to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Challenge Cup, losing 1-2 at Bickland Park to Oxford United in front of a record 8,000 crowd. The feat was repeated in 1967 when losing 2-5 away to Peterborough United and again to Peterborough in 1969, this time 1-4 at home. From 1970-71 to 1973-74 the championship was won four times in succession and during this period 553 league goals were scored with 101 goals conceded in 130 matches.

Keith Manley receiving the Western League Championship Trophy


In 1974-75 season Town embarked into the Western League in search of a higher challenge. Making an incredible transition they completed the League and Cup "Double" without losing a game. It was January 1976 before their first reverse which stretched to a mammoth 58 league and cup unbeaten run in the Western League. The "Glory Years" continued with three more consecutive Championships, making it eight in a row for Town's legendary manager Richard Gray and established a British professioal record which is still unparelleled in the history of British Football. Along with the manager, special mention must be made to central defenders Mervyn Rich and Keith Manley (who holds the club appearance record of 580 games) for competing in all those eight years. In 1976 ace goalscorer Tony kellow was transferred to Exeter City for a club record fee of £12,000 and the previous season had departed for a long and illustrious career in the Football League.

The all conquering team from the "Glory Years"


Increased travelling costs forced Town to withdraw from the Western League after nine seasons and on their retun to Cornish football they found their application to rejoin the S.W. League refused by the member clubs. The Club had to settle for Cornwall Combination League football, but it was the begining of a new successful era under manger Dave Wadd. Winning the C.C. League at the first attempt, they were re-admitted to the S.W.League where they finished 6th. In 1985-86 Falmouth pulled of the League and Cup double and the following season added another championship. They also achieved National recognition by reaching the FA VASE Quater Final before bowing out at Bickland Park 0-1 to the eventual winners, St.Helens Town, in front of a 1500 crowd. Falmouth took their total of league titles into double figures in 1988-89.

With Trevor Mewton now in charge, Falmouth triumphed over favourites St.Blazey by 1-0 in the S.W.League Cup Final in 1990-91 and the following season won their 12th League title and completed the "Double" with a 5-0 win over the Devon & Cornwall Police. Between September '85 to April '88 Falmouth played 52 S.W.L. games at Bickland Park without defeat, again another league record.

After two unsuccessful seasons witout winning a trophy, former player Ray Nicholls was appointed manager in 1994-95, and along with an almost new team the S.W.League Cup was won with a 2-1 win over holders Bodmin Town, making it their tenth cup win. Not only was it the beginning of a new chapter in the Club's history, but it was the refreshingbrand of attacking and entertaing football which saw an increase in attendances that season.



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