WUFC - 100 Years
22 Dec 2010

WINTERBOURNE UNITED F C
Founded 1911

CENTENARY SEASON


Winterbourne United Football Club are entering their centenary season after forming in 1911 and went under the name of ‘Winterbourne Wasps’ until the outbreak of the First World War. The club was reformed post war as United after joining with Watleys End, Winterbourne Down, and Kendleshire and the first club secretary was Mr. Fred Tolley.

Winterbourne entered the Bristol & Suburban League and enjoyed one of the most successful periods in their history, finishing runners up on no less than four occasions during the 1930’s. In the 1933-34 season reached the semi-finals of the G.F.A. Senior Amateur Cup. In the quarter- final played at home against Dockland Settlement, 2000 paid to watch the game.

During the Second World War, the local Home Guard kept football going in the village until peacetime.

In 1950-51, Winterbourne joined the Bristol & District League. From this point they have made steady progress and are still represented in this league albeit by the ‘A’ Team (Third Team)

Season 1967-68, saw them win the Bristol & District League Div 1 Championship and the G.F.A. Intermediate Cup, along with the Berkley Hospital Senior Cup. With the championship came promotion into the Bristol Premier Combination. 1970-71 they won the Second Division Championship and the Cossham Hospital Premier Cup.

The Club continued in, what had now become, the County of Avon Premier Combination until 1991-92, when they won the Premier Combination Cup and finished runners up in the league gaining automatic promotion into the Gloucestershire County League. This signalled the most successful period in the Club’s history. The same season saw the Reserves win the Bristol & District League Div 1 Championship and each side win their respective Berkeley Hospital Cup competition. The Reserves retaining their trophy season 1992-93.

A poor 1995-96 season saw relegation back to the Bristol Premier Combination although they reached the G.F.A. Challenge Trophy semi-finals for the first time. This proved to be a minor setback as the following year they marched straight back into the County League after doing ‘the double’. First beating Highridge 2-1 to win the G.F.A. Senior Amateur Cup and then winning the Championship by no less than 7 points from nearest rivals Hambrook.

Further success followed, in season 1998-99 the Reserves won the Bristol & District Senior Division Championship so regaining the club’s presence in the Bristol Premier Combination.

Season 2000-01 saw the Club achieve its greatest accolade to date, winning the Gloucestershire County League by 5 clear points after being pace makers for almost the entire season. This brought automatic entry into the Cherry Red Music Hellenic Football League, now the GLS Football Hellenic Football League, following the appointment of a new sponsor in 04/05. A creditable first season saw them finish 6th in Division 1 West, and also reach the semi-finals of the G.F.A. Challenge Trophy. Since then the First XI were fourth in season 02/03 when they also reached the semi-final of the Hellenic Supplementary Cup, emulating the cup feat in season 04/05. 2005/06 Saw the club become Hellenic League Division 1 West champions clinching the title with a month of the season to go. Promotion to the Premier League was denied only by the lack of suitable facilities.

The Reserves gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Bristol Premier Combination in 2006 – 2007 by winning the league. Two hard fought 1 – 0 victories against local rivals Frampton Athletic the highlight of a hectic season run in.

Not to be outdone the A Team have enjoyed their own success, in season 2001-02 they won their ‘double’, the Bristol & District League Div V Championship along with the G.F.A. Primary Cup. In 04/05 they were promoted as runners-up in Division 4 of the District League and were again runners-up in the GFA Minor Cup.

The current youth section was established in 2003 and now operates with over 75 youth members. Two league championships have come our way with a cup final in April 2011 for the current U11 side.

Participation

1st Team - Division 1 West of the GLS Football Hellenic Football League

Reserves - Division 1 of the Bristol Premier Combination Football League

A team - Division 2 of the Bristol & District Football League

Under 18 - Gloucestershire County Youth League

Under 16 - Midland Premier Youth League

Under 14 - Avon Youth League- Div 3

Under 13 - Avon Youth League – Div 2

Under 12 - Avon Youth League – Div 3

Under 11 - Hanham Minor League – Div C

Under 10 - Bristol Saturday Youth League