A History of Orwell FC
Seasons to 1939
Orwell Football Team 1920s
The club was reformed in 1920 (before the 1914-18 war the team had not played competitively), entering the 'Foxton and District' league; the trophy for this was the 'Foster Cup'.
Orwell were winners of this league in seasons 1922-23,1923-24, 1924-25 and 1928-29. In the latter season they also won the Gransden Cup and the Royston Hospital Cup. In season 1929-30 Orwell entered the Cambs. League and in season 1930-31 they won Division III. The following season the Leagues were reformed and Orwell were placed in League 1, above which was the Premier League. In season 1929-30 the club also reached the final of the Junior Cup, then called the Minor Cup, and were beaten by Coton. In 1930-31 they were beaten in the Junior Cup final by Linton Granta, and in 1932-33 they were beaten by Soham Town.
In season 1937-38 they succeeded in winning the Junior Cup by defeating Soham Town at the Pye ground in Cambridge, with the following team members: CD Bullen; P Robinson and E Charter; W Wilkins, J Smith and B Levack; L Miller, W Dash (Captain) G Flack, F Jude and E Wilkins (note format of goalkeeper; fullbacks; half backs; forwards; with no substitutes).
Seasons after World War II
The next cup Orwell won was the Willingham Cup after the second World War in 1946-47, beating Camden United 3-1 in a replay after drawing 1-1 in the initial game. In both these games three coaches were required to transport the players and supporters.
in 1957-58 the team lost only 3 games all season
Orwell were also winners of the Foster Cup in seasons 1950-51, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1956-57, 1957-58, and in this latter season they also won Division 1 of the Cambs. League, the 'Milton Cup', were runners up in the 'Waterbeach Cup', and also reached the semi-final of the Cambs. Junior Cup. The team only lost 3 games all season, scoring 199 goals with only 47 being scored against them. They played one semi-final and four finals in five days, a performance recognised by the award of two Merit Shields by the Cambridge Daily News. In season 1954-55 Orwell again reached the final of the Junior Cup, losing to Milton.
Seasons from the 1960s
In 1962-63 Orwell found themselves back in Division 1.
In 1963-64 Orwell Reserves reached the final of the Bambridge Cup but were beaten 4-0 by Melbourn; the First team were beaten 4-3 by Harston in the Foster Cup final.
the Reserves were in Division IV
In season 1964-65 the First team were relegated to Division II but were promoted the following season (1965-66) back to Division 1. At this stage the Reserves were in Division IV. The First team also reached the final of the Gransden Cup in 1965-66 (losing to Papworth 3-2) and won the Bambridge Cup (by beating Fowlmere 5-3). Then in the Junior Cup final again in 1967-68, losing to Histon Reserves, but this season won the Creake Shield.
In 1968-69 the First team reached the final of the Foster Cup, only to be beaten by Fowlmere by 4-1, and were also beaten (by Camden, 5-2) in the final of the Junior Cup. In 1969-70 the Reserves reached the final of the Bambridge Cup but were beaten 5-0 by Arrington.
Mr Peters was President of the club from 1920 to 1966
Mr H G Peters was President of the club from its formation in 1920 to when he died in 1966. He provided the original pitch on which to play – and allowed the club to build dressing rooms and toilets, until the venue was replaced by the Recreation Ground. Mr Sid Miller was one of the original founders of the club and was also the first club captain; he remained a Life Vice President until he died.
From around 1970 interest in the club waned and it became difficult to attract players, so it was decided to revert to a running single team. Over time, the club stabilised in Division 3A, before dropping in season 2006-7 to Division 4A.
Seasons since 2008
revival of interest
Chris Haynes took over as Manager in season 2008-09 when he started to rebuild the team, with Charlie Watson as assistant coach. Season 2009-10 demonstrated the revival of interest; the club finished 5th in Division 4A and also reached the final of the Lower Junior Cup (losing 3-0 to Chatteris Town Reserves on the Histon FC ground). Then in 2010-11 Orwell FC were champions of Division 4A and were promoted again to Division 3A. In addition, the club won the John Ablett Cup at the Cambridge City ground beating Bar Hill Sports & Social Club 3-1.
Success continued in 2011-12 when Orwell FC were again promoted, this time to Division 2A. At the end of October 2012 Orwell are top of this league and unbeaten in cup and league competitions!
0rwell F.C 2009 awards evening