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{{short description|Association football club in England}}
{{Football club infobox |
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
clubname = Weston-super-Mare|
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
image =<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Westonsupermareafc.png]] -->|
{{Infobox football club
fullname = Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club|
| clubname = Weston-super-Mare
nickname = The Seagulls|
| image = Weston-super-Mare AFC logo.svg
founded = [[1887–88 in English football|1887]], Reformed [[1948–49 in English football|1948]] |
| image_size = 185px
ground = Woodspring Stadium<br>[[Weston-super-Mare]]<br>[[Somerset]]<br>[[England]]|
| fullname = Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club
capacity = 3,500 (350 seated & 2,000 covered) |
| nickname = The Seagulls
chairman = {{flagicon|ENG}} Paul Bliss |
| founded = {{start date and age|1887|df=yes}}
manager = {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Gurney]] |
| ground = Woodspring Stadium
league = [[Conference South]]|
| capacity = 3,500 (350 seated)
season = [[2008–09 in English football|2008-09]] |
| chairman = Paul Bliss
position = Conference South, 17th <ref name="fchd">{{fchd|name=Weston-super-Mare|id=WESTONSM}}</ref>|
| manager = Scott Bartlett
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| position = {{English football updater|WestonSM3}}
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| website = {{URL|http://westonsmareafc.co.uk/}}
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'''Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club''' (also known as '''The Seagulls''') are an [[England|English]] semi-professional [[football (soccer)|football]] [[football team|club]] based in [[Weston-super-Mare]] in [[Somerset]], [[England]]. They play in the [[Conference South]]. The team's claim to fame is that they have never been relegated in their history, although that title has come under heavy pressure lately. The team's best performance in the [[FA Cup]] came in [[2003-04 in English football|2003&ndash;04]] when they reached the second round of the competition.


'''Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club''' is a semi-professional [[association football|football]] [[football team|club]] based in [[Weston-super-Mare]], [[Somerset]], [[England]]. Nicknamed "The Seagulls",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Weston-super-Mare-given-derby-double-header-Bath/story-16475774-detail/story.html |title=Weston-super-Mare FC 2012/13 Blue Square Bet South fixtures released |publisher=This is Somerset |date=2012-07-02 |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> the club is affiliated to the [[Somerset County Football Association]] and are competing in the [[National League South]], the sixth tier of English football.
Weston were founded in [[1887 in football (soccer)|1887]], but disbanded twice (once for [[World War I]], then again for [[World War II]]). The club were reformed in [[1948 in football (soccer)|1948]] and have since moved up to Step 6 of the [[English football league system]] where they currently play today. In the [[2006-07 in English football|2006/07]] season, Weston finished league play 21st out of 22 teams and seemed destined for their first relegation. However, due to financial irregularities at one club and the merging of two others, The Seagulls remained safe for another year.


The club was founded in [[1887 in association football|1887]] but disbanded twice (for the two World Wars); the current club was established in 1948. Their claim to fame was that they had never been relegated in their history, although after their promotion to the sixth tier in 2004 they had been reprieved from relegation three times (in 2007, 2008, and 2010), they were eventually relegated for the first time in 132 years in the 2018/19 season. The team's best performance in the [[FA Cup]] came in [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]] when they reached the second round of the competition.
Weston-super-Mare has a modest fan base and a fierce rivalry with local club [[Clevedon Town F.C.|Clevedon Town]], who are situated in [[Clevedon]], [[North Somerset]]. However, the rivalry has been put on the back-burner as of late since Weston-super-Mare gained promotion to the [[Southern Football League Premier Division|Southern League Premier Division]] in [[2002-03 in English football|2002&ndash;2003]], clinching promotion with a 1&ndash;0 win over rivals Clevedon. The two have not played in the same league since.

Weston-super-Mare has a modest fan base and a fierce rivalry with fellow Somerset club [[Clevedon Town F.C.|Clevedon Town]]. However, the two clubs have not played in the same league or cup (excluding pre-season) since Weston-super-Mare gained promotion to the [[Southern Football League Premier Division|Southern League Premier Division]] in 2003.


==History==
==History==
===Formation, reformation, and early history===
Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. was formed in 1887,<ref>[http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/conferencesouth/weston_super_mare.php Napit.co.uk]</ref> with the team's first match being against near-neighbours [[Clevedon Town F.C.|Clevedon Town]] in a "Medal Competition" organised by the [[Somerset]] FA.<ref name="clubhistory">[http://www.westonsupermareafc.co.uk/theclub.asp Weston-Super-Mare Football Club History]</ref> In 1900 they joined the [[Western Football League]] but left after two years.<ref name="fchd"/> In 1910 they rejoined this league and played there until [[World War I]].<ref name="fchd"/>
Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. was formed in 1887.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/apr/07/mare-of-season-weston-relegation |title=Mare of a season: Weston need miracle to avoid first-ever relegation |last=Lewis |first=Tim |date=7 April 2019 |website=theguardian.com |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref> The team's first record of a competitive match being against near-neighbours [[Clevedon Town F.C.|Clevedon Town]] in a "Medal Competition" organised by the [[Somerset]] FA.<ref name="clubhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.weston-s-mareafc.co.uk/club/History |title=History &#124; Weston-super-Mare Football Club |publisher=Weston-s-mareafc.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> In 1900, they joined Division two of the [[Western Football League]] but left after two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthA/WestL189.htm |title=Western League 1892–1914 |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> In 1910, they rejoined this league and played there until [[World War I]].<ref name="fchd">{{fchd|name=Weston-super-Mare|id=WESTONSM}}</ref>

Between the wars, the club played in the local [[Bristol and District Football League]] and then the [[Somerset County League]] but the club disbanded upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1939.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The club reformed in 1948 and immediately rejoined the Western League, initially in Division Two.<ref name="wsterplus1945">{{cite web |url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthA/WestL45.htm |title=Western League 1945–1965 |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |date=1947-06-05 |access-date=2012-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512214423/http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthA/WestL45.htm |archive-date=12 May 2012 }}</ref> At this time the team played at the Great Ground in Locking Road, where initially there was no cover for spectators and the players had to change in a marquee.<ref name="clubhistory"/> A season after the club joined rejoined the Western League they made their debut in the [[FA Cup]] in the 1949–50 season losing to [[Gloucester City A.F.C.|Gloucester City]] in the preliminary qualifying round.<ref name="fchd"/> The team remained in the Second Division until the league consolidated to a single division in 1960.<ref name="wsterplus1945"/> During this time they moved to the Langford Road Ground.<ref name="clubhistory"/> In 1976, they were placed into the Western League Premier Division upon the creation of a second tier, meaning that by their centenary in 1987 they had never been promoted or relegated in their history.<ref name="clubhistory"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthA/WestL65.htm |title=Western League 1965–1985 |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |access-date=2012-12-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114023041/http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthA/WestL65.htm |archive-date=14 November 2013 }}</ref>

===Paul Bliss era===
In early 1986, Paul Bliss was approached by Weston-super-Mare and he was named as the club's chairman roughly six months later.<ref name='30yearsbliss'>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/30-years-of-paul-bliss-and-weston-afc-31868 |title=30 Years of Paul Bliss And Weston AFC |last=Whitney |first=Steve |date=12 July 2016 |website=[[National League (English football)|National League]] |access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gammie |first=Walter |date=13 October 2003 |title=Weston miss chance to make converts |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/weston-miss-chance-to-make-converts-d7rpz82fvpw |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=[[London]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> In 1989, John Ellener was appointed manager and led the club to the Western League championship in 1991–92 and with it promotion to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Midland Division.<ref name="fchd"/> They remained at this level, playing successively in the Midland, Southern, Midland (again) and Western Divisions due to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]]'s regular reorganisations, until 2002–03 when they finished in second place and were promoted to the [[Southern League Premier Division|Premier Division]], clinching promotion with a win away to rivals Clevedon Town.<ref name="clubhistory"/><ref name="soutthernleague2000s">{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regs1SthA/SL01.htm |title=Southern League 2001–2011 |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> In their first Premier Division season they finished in 10th place, enough to clinch a place in the newly formed [[Conference South]].<ref name="soutthernleague2000s"/>

The club's most successful [[FA Cup]] run came in the [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04 season]], when the Seagulls reached the second round. After defeating [[Dorchester Town F.C.|Dorchester Town]], [[Chesham United F.C.|Chesham United]] (via a replay) and [[Welling United F.C.|Welling United]] in the qualifying rounds, Weston secured a 1–0 away win against [[Farnborough Town F.C.|Farnborough Town]] to progress from the first round. They were awarded an away tie against [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] side, [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] where they were eventually beaten 4–1. In the same season, Weston would equal their best performance in the [[2003–04 FA Trophy|FA Trophy]], reaching the Fourth Round of the competition.

In the [[2006–07 Football Conference|2006–07 season]] of the Conference South, the club finished in 20th position and was set to be relegated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguematters.net/Regions_1/05csout.htm |title=Website created using 350pages at www.350.com |publisher=Nonleaguematters.net |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> However, [[Farnborough F.C.|Farnborough Town]] were relegated due to going into liquidation and [[Hayes F.C.|Hayes]] and [[Yeading F.C.|Yeading]] merged to form [[Hayes & Yeading United F.C.|Hayes & Yeading United]], leaving the [[Conference South]] one team short, earning a reprieve for Weston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=42765 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601005511/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=42765 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=1 June 2012 |title=NonLeagueDaily.com |publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> The [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]] season ended similarly for Weston. A 20th-place finish meant the club was eligible for relegation, only to be spared by the enforced demotion of [[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge City]], who failed a ground inspection.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7423974.stm|title= Cambridge City fail in FA appeal|publisher=BBC Sport Online|date=2008-05-28|access-date=2008-05-29}}</ref> The 2009–10 campaign again saw the club finish in the relegation zone again when they finished 21st, however as before the club was saved by the FA, this time when [[Salisbury City F.C.|Salisbury City]] were demoted twice to the Southern League.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/salisbury/8733410.stm |title=Salisbury City lose their appeal against demotion |publisher=BBC News |date=2010-06-10 |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref>

The 2010–11 season saw the club win the [[Somerset Premier Cup]] for the first time when they defeated [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] in the final.<ref name="spc1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Weston-land-Somerset-Cup/story-11349043-detail/story.html |title=Weston-super-Mare beat Yeovil Town to lift Somerset Cup |publisher=This is Bath |date=2011-05-04 |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref> The club retained the cup the following season (2011–12) when they beat local rivals Clevedon Town 2–1.<ref name="spc2">{{cite web|url=http://www.guide2westonsupermare.com/news/640/Weston-super-Mare-AFC-defeat-Clevedon-Town-to-retain-the-Somerset-Premier-Cup |title=Weston-super-Mare AFC defeat Clevedon Town to retain the Somerset Premier Cup – 09 May 2012 – Guide2Weston Super Mare News |publisher=Guide2westonsupermare.com |access-date=2012-12-09}}</ref>

In 2012–13, the club finished the season with their highest-ever placing in the Conference South in 7th place with 67 points and narrowly missing out on a place in the playoffs. The 2014–15 season brought a relatively successful cup campaign as the Seagulls won three qualifying matches in the FA Cup and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, where they lost 4–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers in front of a record attendance of 2,949.

After a string of poor results, Micky Bell was replaced by Director of Football, Ryan Northmore at the end of November 2014 with the Seagulls at the bottom of the table. Northmore took the team on a string of unbeaten games, taking them to promotion-challenging form. Unfortunately, this didn't continue, and after defeating Bath City at home 4–1 in a rearranged fixture the rejuvenated Seagulls didn't win another league game which saw them finish 17th.

The 2015–16 season saw the side struggle to gain a win throughout August in the League, winning just 1 point from 18, with that point coming at home in the Somerset Derby against Bath City.

Through September and October, the side couldn't maintain a consistent run of form and continued to lay low in the dreaded depths of the relegation zone.

However, toward the end of November, Ryan Northmore's troops pulled themselves up to 2nd in the league's form table by going 10 games unbeaten in the Nation League South from 21 November until 16 February. It ended when Weston couldn't maintain the run, losing 2–0 to Hayes & Yeading at the Woodspring.

The side momentarily lost form with losses coming against St. Albans and Wealdstone however, over the Easter weekend, the side bagged an important 3 points over Ebbsfleet thanks to Captain Dayle Grubb's impressive strikes.

This was followed by a tough defeat to relegation rivals Bath City, with Scott Wilson firing in during the 91st minute, but Bath hit back with a penalty in the 92nd minute and the winner from halfway in the 94th minute.

During the last month of the season, the Seagulls once again turned on the style and ended the season with 6 unbeaten games from 7, with Scott Wilson and Dayle Grubb netting in a 2–0 win over Maidstone to spark manic celebrations from the home fans at The Woodspring knowing that the Seagulls had avoided relegation.

With the season ending in a party atmosphere in Havant on 30 April, with fan favourite Scott Wilson sliding home at the far post to ultimately send Havant down and keep Margate down.

The club revealed a new crest after the end of the 2015–16 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=New crest revealed|url=http://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/new-crest-revealed/|website=Weston-super-Mare AFC|access-date=30 June 2016}}</ref> Manager [[Ryan Northmore]] was sacked by the club on 18 September 2016 after a run of seven league losses and an FA Cup exit to [[North Leigh F.C.|North Leigh]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Northmore leaves the club|url=http://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/northmore-leaves-the-club/|website=Weston-super-Mare AFC|access-date=18 September 2016}}</ref> Northmore was replaced by former Weston-super-Mare player and [[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]] caretaker manager Scott Bartlett on 3 October 2016.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/14779592.Weston_super_Mare_appoint_Forest_Green_Academy_boss_Scott_Bartlett_as_new_manager/ |title=Weston-super-Mare appoint Forest Green Academy boss Scott Bartlett as new manager |publisher=Stroud News & Journal |date=3 October 2016}}</ref> Bartlett left the club at the end of the 2016–17 season after having led the Seagulls to 15th in the [[2016–17 National League#National League South|National League South]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Robins|first1=Sheridan|title=Scott Bartlett leaves Weston-super-Mare after 7 months in charge with a 'heavy heart'|url=http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/scott-bartlett-leaves-weston-super-mare-after-7-months-in-charge-with-a-heavy-heart-1-5060654|access-date=11 January 2018|publisher=Weston Mercury|date=14 June 2017}}</ref> Former player Marc McGregor was his replacement for the new season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Robins|first1=Sheridan|title=Weston-super-Mare appoint Marc McGregor as new manager|url=http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/football/weston-super-mare-appoint-marc-mcgregor-as-new-manager-1-5063322|access-date=11 January 2018|publisher=Weston Mercury|date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

McGregor's first season in charge saw the club finish in a credible 12th place<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|title=Seagulls show ‘great character’ to end season with win|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/seagulls-show-great-character-in-comeback-win-over-hemel-hempstead-4526108|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=Weston Mercury|date=3 May 2018}}</ref> with McGregor being named Manager of the Month for November.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Angear|first1=Simon|title=Weston boss nets Manager Of The Month award|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/weston-boss-nets-manager-of-the-month-award-4518332|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=Weston Mercury|date=1 December 2017}}</ref> The 2018–19 season saw the club struggle for form, only picking up their first league win three months into the season<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|title=At last... Seagulls finally secure first league win|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/weston-super-mare-afc-finally-secure-first-league-win-4534852|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=Weston Mercury|date=9 November 2018}}</ref> with their first home league win coming nearly three months later.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|title=At last... Weston win at home as quickfire brace guns down Rebels|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/weston-super-mare-2-0-slough-town-seagulls-win-at-4537902|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=Weston Mercury|date=29 January 2019}}</ref> McGregor's time in charge came to an end in March 2019<ref>{{cite news|title=Weston-super-Mare part company with Marc McGregor|url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-2/national-league-north-and-south/national-league-south/26207/weston-super-mare-part-company-with-marc-mcgregor/|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=The Non-League Paper|date=15 March 2019}}</ref> with the club ultimately suffering the first relegation in their 137-year history finishing bottom of the [[National League South]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frost |first1=Sam |title=BREAKING: Weston relegated from National League South |url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/weston-super-mare-relegated-from-the-national-league-south-4541990 |access-date=1 January 2022 |publisher=Weston Mercury |date=20 April 2019}}</ref> Scott Bartlett returned as the club's new manager ahead of the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frost |first1=Sam |title=Scott Bartlett appointed Weston manager|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/weston-appoint-scott-bartlett-manager-4543422|access-date=30 April 2022 |publisher=Weston Mercury |date=24 May 2019}}</ref>


The club's first two seasons ([[2019–20 Southern Football League|2019–20]] and [[2020–21 Southern Football League|2020–21]]) back in the [[Southern Football League]] were abandoned prematurely due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Coronavirus: All football below National League to end |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52052351 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FA Update On Steps 3-6 |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/fa-update-on-steps-3-6-65182 |access-date=30 April 2022 |date=24 February 2021}}</ref> The [[2021–22 Southern Football League|2021–22]] season saw Weston finish the season in fifth place, qualifying for the end of season playoffs but the Seagulls lost their semi-final 2–1 against [[Hayes and Yeading United F.C.|Hayes and Yeading United]] to confirm their continued participation in the Southern League.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thomas |first1=Joshua |title=Weston AFC knocked out of Southern Premier South play-offs after defeat at Hayes & Yeading United|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/weston-afc-knocked-out-of-play-offs-8924160|access-date=30 April 2022 |publisher=Weston Mercury |date=26 April 2022}}</ref>
Between the wars, the club played in local leagues but disbanded upon the outbreak of hostilities. The club reformed in 1948 and immediately rejoined the Western League, initially in Division Two.<ref>[http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/teams/guidetoground.php?team_id=59 NonLeagueDaily]</ref> At this time the team played at the Great Ground in Locking Road, where initially there was no cover for spectators and the players had to change in a marquee.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The team remained in the Second Division until the league consolidated to a single division in 1960. During this time they moved to the Langford Road Ground. In 1976 they were placed into the Western League Premier Division upon the creation of a second tier, meaning that by their centenary in 1987 they had never been promoted or relegated in their history.<ref name="clubhistory"/>


The [[2022–23 Southern Football League|2022–23]] season saw Weston immediately challenging at the top of the table, spending much of the season battling with [[Truro City F.C.|Truro City]] for the top spot and, despite a late challenge from [[Bracknell Town F.C.|Bracknell Town]], Weston were crowned champions following an emphatic 4–1 win against [[Hendon F.C.|Hendon]] securing a return to the [[National League South]] after four years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thomas |first1=Joshua |title=Weston AFC secure National League South promotion after Jackson treble|url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/23464920.weston-afc-secure-national-league-south-promotion-jackson-treble/|access-date=18 April 2023 |publisher=Weston Mercury |date=18 April 2023}}</ref>
In 1989 John Ellener was appointed manager and led the club to the Western League championship in 1991&ndash;92 and with it promotion to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Midland Division.<ref>[http://www.confsouth.co.uk/westonsmare.htm Blue Square Conference South Guide]</ref> They remained at this level, playing successively in the Midland, Southern, Midland (again) and Western Divisions due to the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]]'s regular reorganisations, until 2002&ndash;03 when they finished in second place and were promoted to the [[Southern League Premier Division|Premier Division]], clinching promotion with a win away to rivals Clevedon Town.<ref name="clubhistory"/>


A respectable 13th-place finish was the result of the Seagulls' first season back in the [[English football league system|sixth tier]]. In January 2024, Bartlett signed a new long-term contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=BARTLETT SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION |url=https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/bartlett-signs-contract-extension/ |publisher=Weston-super-Mare AFC |date=22 January 2024}}</ref>
In their first Premier Division season they finished in 10th place, enough to clinch a place in the newly-formed [[Conference South]], where they played until 2006&ndash;07, in which they were seemingly relegated. However, [[Farnborough F.C.|Farnborough Town]] were relegated due to going into liquidation and [[Hayes F.C.|Hayes]] and [[Yeading F.C.|Yeading]] merged to form [[Hayes & Yeading United F.C.|Hayes & Yeading United]], leaving the [[Conference South]] one team short, earning a reprieve for Weston.<ref>[http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=42765 NonLeagueDaily] Published 09/06/2007.</ref> The [[2007-08 in English football|2007&ndash;08]] season ended in similar fashion for Weston. A 20th place finish meant the club was eligible for relegation, only to be spared by the enforced demotion of [[Cambridge City F.C.|Cambridge City]], who failed a ground inspection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7423974.stm|title= Cambridge City fail in FA appeal|publisher=BBC Sport Online|date=2008-05-28|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref>


==Ground==
==Ground==
[[Image:Woodspring.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Woodspring Stadium]]
[[File:North Stand, Weston Super Mare FC (geograph 4843586).jpg|thumb|245x245px|Woodspring stadium]]
The club moved to the new purpose-built '''Woodspring Stadium''' in August 2004. They previously played at the similarly-named Woodspring Park a short distance away. The move marked the third time in the past 40 years that Weston-super-Mare have changed venues. The capacity of Woodspring Stadium is 3,500 in which 2,000 is covered and 350 are seated.<ref name="groundtastic">[Groundtastic - The Football Grounds Magazine. GT40 - Spring 2005. Published 1 March 2005. Pages 34-37.]</ref>
Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. play their home games at the Woodspring Stadium, currently known as the Optima Stadium for sponsorship reasons, on Winterstoke Road, where the club moved to in August 2004. They previously played at Woodspring Park a short distance away. The move marked the third time in the past 40 years that Weston-super-Mare has changed venues. The ground's capacity is 3,500 of which 2,000 are covered and 350 are seated.<ref name="groundtastic">[Groundtastic – The Football Grounds Magazine. GT40 – Spring 2005. Published 1 March 2005. Pages 34–37.]</ref>


Woodspring Park had been built almost entirely by supporters and boasted a clubhouse costing £100,000.<ref name="hist"/> The Park had been the home of Weston-super-Mare since 1983 and had floodlights installed in 1986.<ref name="hist">{{cite web|url=http://www.westonsupermareafc.co.uk/theclub.asp|title=History|publisher=Weston super Mare AFC|accessdate=2009-07-04}}</ref> Weston-super-Mare sold this ground to a residential home builder when it became apparent the club was going to move the short distance to Woodspring Stadium. The last home fixture was played in April 2004.<ref name="groundtastic"/>
Woodspring Park had been built almost entirely by supporters and boasted a clubhouse costing £100,000.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The Park had been the home of Weston-super-Mare since 1983 and had floodlights installed in 1986.<ref name="clubhistory"/> The ground nearly had a greyhound track around the pitch, an idea that chairman Paul Bliss shot down.<ref name='30yearsbliss'/> Weston-super-Mare sold this ground to a residential home builder when it became apparent the club would move the short distance to the Woodspring Stadium. The last home fixture was played in April 2004.<ref name="groundtastic"/>


The ground for what is now Woodspring Stadium was formerly a sporting complex owned by [[Westland Aircraft]] known as Westland Sports Ground. It was home to [[cricket]] and football in addition to social buildings. Difficult financial times forced Westland to reconsider their place in town and put the ground up for sale. Weston-super-Mare purchased it for £270,000 in 2001.<ref name="groundtastic"/> The Stadium opened August 14th, 2004, with its first match against [[Conference South]] opponent (and now defunct) [[Hornchurch F.C.|Hornchurch]] drawing only 500 people to the game. This was well under the 3,500 capacity.
The ground for what is now Woodspring Stadium was formerly a sporting complex owned by [[Westland Aircraft]] known as Westland Sports Ground. It was home to cricket and football in addition to social buildings. Difficult financial times forced Westland to reconsider its place in town and put the ground up for sale. The club purchased it for £270,000 in 2001.<ref name="groundtastic"/> The Stadium opened 14 August 2004, with its first match against [[Conference South]] opponents [[Hornchurch F.C.|Hornchurch]] drawing 500 people to the game.


In April 2021, the club announced plans to redevelop the stadium to include 750 additional seats and new [[Terrace (stadium)|terracing]] plus new club facilities and hospitality areas. The redevelopment would also allow the club the ability to increase capacity at the ground to 5,000 with 2,000 seats. This would allow the ground to host [[EFL League Two]] matches should the club ever be promoted to that level.<ref>{{cite news |title=MAJOR OPTIMA STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT PLANS ANNOUNCED |url=https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/optima-stadium-redevelopment/ |access-date=1 January 2022 |publisher=Weston-super-Mare AFC |date=7 April 2021}}</ref>
{{Conference South Venues}}

The record attendance for this ground was 2,949 in a match in the [[FA Cup]] against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] on 18 November 2014.


==Current squad==
==Current squad==
''Updated 27 December 2024''
''As of [[25th July]] [[2009]]'' <ref>[http://www.westonsupermareafc.co.uk/firstteam.asp Weston-super-Mare first team] from westonsupermareafc.co.uk</ref>

{{football squad start}}<!-- For help using the below template, please see [[Template talk:Football squad player]] -->
{{Fs start}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=GK | name=Kevin Sawyer }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=GK | name=Luke Purnell }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Max Harris (footballer)|Max Harris]]|other=on loan from [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Jack Compton }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Raphael Araoye|other=on loan from [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Tom Evans }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Sam Avery}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Mike Green }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Jordan Bastin}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=Wales | pos=DF | name=Adie Harris }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Emlyn Lewis|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Sam Johnson }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Jason Pope]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=[[Tom Parrinello]] }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Keiran Thomas}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Craig Rand }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jacob Cane]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Mark Armstrong }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Ollie Chamberlain}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=Wales | pos=DF | name=[[Adrian Williams|Adie Williams]] }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Luke Coulson]]|other=[[Captain (association football)#Vice-captain|vice-captain]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=DF | name=Ben Willshire }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=Australia | pos=MF | name=Ben Carpenter }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[James Dodd (footballer)|James Dodd]]}}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Dylan Kadji]]}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=[[Andy Gurney]] | other=[[Player-manager]]}}
{{fs player|no= |nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=[[James Waite (footballer, born 1999)|James Waite]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=Marc McGregor }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Brandon Bak|other=on loan from [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=[[Ashan Holgate]] }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Harvey Greenslade]]|other=on loan from [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=[[Darren Mullings]] }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Nick McCootie}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=James Palmer }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=WAL|pos=FW|name=[[Sam Pearson (footballer)|Sam Pearson]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=David Thorne }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Reuben Reid]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=MF | name=Ben Wells }}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Marley Rose|other=on loan from [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]}}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=FW | name=[[Marvin Brown]] }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=FW | name=[[Clayton Fortune]] }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=FW | name=Ryan Havard }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=FW | name=[[Scott Partridge]] }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=England | pos=FW | name=Sam Clark }}
{{fs player| no=-| nat=Wales | pos=FW | name=[[Josh Klein-Davies]]}}
{{fs end}}
{{fs end}}


===International players===
===Out on loan===
{{Fs start}}
Appearances while with Weston-super-Mare
{{fs player|no= |nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Morgan Lewis|other=on loan at [[Taunton Town F.C.|Taunton Town]]}}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Bailey Kempster|other=on loan at [[Tiverton Town F.C.|Tiverton Town]]}}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Oli Jenkins}}|other=on loan at [[Tiverton Town F.C.|Tiverton Town]]}}
{{fs player|no= |nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Jamie Soule]]|other=on loan at [[Mickleover F.C.|Mickleover]]}}
{{fs end}}


==Non-playing staff==
*[[Ludovic Quistin]] - Gained 8 international caps for [[Guadeloupe national football team|Guadeloupe]] in the [[Caribbean Championship 2008]].
===Board members===
:''Updated 23 July 2023.''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/board-members/ |title=Board members |website=westonsmareafc.co.uk |access-date=18 July 2023}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
==Management and coaching staff==
{| class="toccolours"
!bgcolor=silver|Position
!bgcolor=silver|Name
!bgcolor=silver|Nationality
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Manager || [[Andy Gurney]] ||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
|-
|-
! Position
|Assistant manager || Chris Smith ||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
! Name
|-
|-
| Chairman
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
| Paul Bliss
|Physio || David Callow ||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
|-
|-
| President
|Kit man || David Williams, Jr. ||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
| Dennis Usher
|-
|-
| Managing director
| Oli Bliss
|-
|rowspan="3"| Director
| Lach Geddes
|-
| Alex Crowther
|-
| Ed Bliss
|-
| Academy Director
| Simon Panes
|}
|}


==Club officials==
===First team staff===
:''Updated 25 January 2023.''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/first-team/ |title=First team – Staff |website=westonsmareafc.co.uk |access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref>
{| class="toccolours"
{| class="wikitable"
!bgcolor=silver|Position
!bgcolor=silver|Name
!bgcolor=silver|Nationality
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Chairman ||Paul Bliss||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
|-
|-
! Position
|President ||Dennis Usher||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
! Name
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|Company secretary ||Bill Hamill||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
|-
|-
| Manager
|Financial director ||Paul Macey||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
| Scott Bartlett
|-bgcolor=#eeeeee
|-
|Groundsman ||Bob Flaskett||{{flagicon|England}} [[England|English]]
| Assistant manager
| Scott Rogers
|-
| Goalkeeper Coach
| Steve Laker
|-
| Opposition Analyst
| Richard Joyce
|-
| Sport Therapist
| Taylor Cornish
|-
| Kitman
| Gordon Mackay
|-
| Head Groundsman
| Sam Trego
|-
| Grounds Advisor
| Bob Flaskett
|}
|}


==Honours==
==Records==
*'''Highest League Position''':<ref name="fchd"/> 7th in Conference South 2012–13
* '''[[Southern Football League Division One South & West|Southern League Division One South & West]]'''
*'''[[FA Cup]] best performance''':<ref name="fchd"/> Second round 2003–04
:''Runners-up (1):'' 2002-03
*'''[[FA Trophy]] best performance''':<ref name="fchd"/> Fourth round 1998–99, 2003–04, 2023–24
*'''Highest Attendance''':<ref name="clubhistory"/> 2,949 vs [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] – 2014–15 ([[2014–15 FA Cup|F.A. Cup]])


==Former players==
* '''[[Western Football League|Western League]]'''
# Players that have played/managed at least 40 games in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
:''Champions (1):'' 1991-92
# Players with full international caps.
# Players that have played/managed in another professional sport.


{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* '''[[Western League Challenge Cup]]'''
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Craig Alcock]]
:''Champions (1):'' 1976-77
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Danny Bailey]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Michael Bell (footballer)|Michael Bell]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jon Beswetherick]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Book]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Wayne Brown (footballer born January 1977)|Wayne Brown]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ray Cashley]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Billy Clark (footballer born 1967)|Billy Clark]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jack Compton]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Cowe]]
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Wilfried Domoraud]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Clayton Fortune]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jon French]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Roger Gibbins]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jerry Gill]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}}[[Charlie Comyn-Platt]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Gurney]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dayle Grubb]]
* {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Lewis Haldane]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Hamilton (footballer born 1940)|Ian Hamilton]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ryan Harley]]
* {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Callum Hart]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Lewis Hogg]]
* {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Lee Jarman]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Juryeff]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Scott Laird]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}}[[David Lee (footballer born 1969)|David Lee]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Barry McConnell]]
* {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Mark McKeever]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul McLoughlin (English footballer)|Paul McLoughlin]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Mehew]]
* {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Rollin Menayese]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ryan Northmore]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Owers]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Scott Partridge]]
* {{flagicon|GPE}} [[Ludovic Quistin]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Tommy Rudkin]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Slater]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Stone (footballer)|David Stone]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Brian Tinnion]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Trego]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Matt Villis]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ollie Watkins]]
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Williams (footballer born 1968)|John Williams]]
{{div col end}}


For those players that also played for the club but did not meet the criteria above: {{See also|Category:Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. players}}
* '''[[Western Merit Cup]]'''
:''Champions (2):'' 1976-77, 1977-78


==Former coaches==
* '''[[Western Senior Cup]]'''
# Managers/Coaches that have played/managed in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
:''Champions (6):'' 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76, 1977-78
# Managers/Coaches with full international caps.


* {{flagicon|England}} [[Tommy Rudkin]]
* '''[[Western League Subsidiary Cup]]'''
:''Finalist (1):'' 1959-60


==Honours==
* '''[[Somerset Premier Cup]]'''
'''League'''
:''Finalists (1):'' 1990-91
*[[Southern Football League|Southern League]] (level 7)<ref name="fchd"/>

**Champions: [[2022–23 Southern Football League|2022–23]]
* '''[[FA Cup]]'''
*[[Southern Football League|Southern League Western Division]]
:''2nd Round (1):'' 2003-04
**Runners-up: [[2002–03 Southern Football League|2002–03]]
*[[Western Football League|Western League]]<ref name="fchd" />
**Champions: [[1991–92 Western Football League|1991–92]]
**Runners-up: 1976–77
*Bristol & District League
**Runners-up: 1922–23


* '''[[FA Trophy]]'''
'''Cup'''
*[[Somerset Premier Cup]]<ref name="spc1" /><ref name="spc2" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Football Club History Database – Somerset County Cups Summary |url=https://www.fchd.info/cups/somersetsummary.htm |access-date=2012-12-09 |publisher=Fchd.info}}</ref>
:''4th Round (2):'' 1998-99, 2003-04
**Winners: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2018–19
**Runners-up: 1990–91, 2016–17
*Clevedon and District Charity Cup
**Winners: 1922–23
*Western Senior Cup<ref name="clubhistory"/>
**Winners: 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78
*[[Western Football League|Western League Challenge Cup]]<ref name="awardwinners">{{cite web|title=Award Winners|url=http://www.toolstationleague.com/history2.php|publisher=Toolstation Western League|access-date=16 December 2017}}</ref>
**Winners: [[1976–77 Western Football League|1976–77]]
*Western Merit Cup<ref name="clubhistory"/>
**Winners: 1976–77, 1977–78
*Western League Subsidiary Cup
**Runners-up: 1959–60
*Somerset Senior Cup<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.somersetfa.com/somerset-fa/previous-winners/senior-cup?db=masterc=1 |title=Senior Cup |publisher=SomersetFA |date=2012-04-19 |access-date=2013-04-04}}</ref>
**Winners: 1926–27
*Bristol Charity Cup<ref name="clubhistory"/>
**Winners: 1922–23
*Weston Charity Cup<ref name="clubhistory"/>
**Winners: 1910–11
*Clevedon Charity Cup
**Runners-up: 1926–27


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.westonsupermareafc.co.uk/ Official website]
* {{Official website}}


{{National League (English football)}}
{{fb start}}
{{coord|51|19|50.36|N|2|57|21.71|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Conference South}}
{{fb end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Weston-Super-Mare A.F.C.}}
[[Category:Football (soccer) clubs established in 1887]]
[[Category:English football clubs]]
[[Category:Weston-super-Mare A.F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Football Conference]]
[[Category:National League (English football) clubs]]
[[Category:Weston-super-Mare]]
[[Category:Sport in Weston-super-Mare]]
[[Category:Sport in Somerset]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Somerset]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]

[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[nl:Weston-super-Mare AFC]]
[[Category:1887 establishments in England]]
[[ja:ウェストン・スーパー・メアAFC]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1887]]
[[sv:Weston Super Mare FC]]
{{coord|51|19|50.36|N|2|57|21.71|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}

Latest revision as of 19:43, 27 December 2024

Weston-super-Mare
Full nameWeston-super-Mare Association Football Club
Nickname(s)The Seagulls
Founded1887; 138 years ago (1887)
GroundWoodspring Stadium
Capacity3,500 (350 seated)
ChairmanPaul Bliss
ManagerScott Bartlett
LeagueNational League South
2023–24National League South, 13th of 24
Websitewestonsmareafc.co.uk

Weston-super-Mare Association Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England. Nicknamed "The Seagulls",[1] the club is affiliated to the Somerset County Football Association and are competing in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.

The club was founded in 1887 but disbanded twice (for the two World Wars); the current club was established in 1948. Their claim to fame was that they had never been relegated in their history, although after their promotion to the sixth tier in 2004 they had been reprieved from relegation three times (in 2007, 2008, and 2010), they were eventually relegated for the first time in 132 years in the 2018/19 season. The team's best performance in the FA Cup came in 2003–04 when they reached the second round of the competition.

Weston-super-Mare has a modest fan base and a fierce rivalry with fellow Somerset club Clevedon Town. However, the two clubs have not played in the same league or cup (excluding pre-season) since Weston-super-Mare gained promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 2003.

History

[edit]

Formation, reformation, and early history

[edit]

Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. was formed in 1887.[2] The team's first record of a competitive match being against near-neighbours Clevedon Town in a "Medal Competition" organised by the Somerset FA.[3] In 1900, they joined Division two of the Western Football League but left after two years.[4] In 1910, they rejoined this league and played there until World War I.[5]

Between the wars, the club played in the local Bristol and District Football League and then the Somerset County League but the club disbanded upon the outbreak of hostilities in 1939.[3] The club reformed in 1948 and immediately rejoined the Western League, initially in Division Two.[6] At this time the team played at the Great Ground in Locking Road, where initially there was no cover for spectators and the players had to change in a marquee.[3] A season after the club joined rejoined the Western League they made their debut in the FA Cup in the 1949–50 season losing to Gloucester City in the preliminary qualifying round.[5] The team remained in the Second Division until the league consolidated to a single division in 1960.[6] During this time they moved to the Langford Road Ground.[3] In 1976, they were placed into the Western League Premier Division upon the creation of a second tier, meaning that by their centenary in 1987 they had never been promoted or relegated in their history.[3][7]

Paul Bliss era

[edit]

In early 1986, Paul Bliss was approached by Weston-super-Mare and he was named as the club's chairman roughly six months later.[8][9] In 1989, John Ellener was appointed manager and led the club to the Western League championship in 1991–92 and with it promotion to the Southern League Midland Division.[5] They remained at this level, playing successively in the Midland, Southern, Midland (again) and Western Divisions due to the Southern League's regular reorganisations, until 2002–03 when they finished in second place and were promoted to the Premier Division, clinching promotion with a win away to rivals Clevedon Town.[3][10] In their first Premier Division season they finished in 10th place, enough to clinch a place in the newly formed Conference South.[10]

The club's most successful FA Cup run came in the 2003–04 season, when the Seagulls reached the second round. After defeating Dorchester Town, Chesham United (via a replay) and Welling United in the qualifying rounds, Weston secured a 1–0 away win against Farnborough Town to progress from the first round. They were awarded an away tie against Third Division side, Northampton Town where they were eventually beaten 4–1. In the same season, Weston would equal their best performance in the FA Trophy, reaching the Fourth Round of the competition.

In the 2006–07 season of the Conference South, the club finished in 20th position and was set to be relegated.[11] However, Farnborough Town were relegated due to going into liquidation and Hayes and Yeading merged to form Hayes & Yeading United, leaving the Conference South one team short, earning a reprieve for Weston.[12] The 2007–08 season ended similarly for Weston. A 20th-place finish meant the club was eligible for relegation, only to be spared by the enforced demotion of Cambridge City, who failed a ground inspection.[13] The 2009–10 campaign again saw the club finish in the relegation zone again when they finished 21st, however as before the club was saved by the FA, this time when Salisbury City were demoted twice to the Southern League.[14]

The 2010–11 season saw the club win the Somerset Premier Cup for the first time when they defeated Yeovil Town in the final.[15] The club retained the cup the following season (2011–12) when they beat local rivals Clevedon Town 2–1.[16]

In 2012–13, the club finished the season with their highest-ever placing in the Conference South in 7th place with 67 points and narrowly missing out on a place in the playoffs. The 2014–15 season brought a relatively successful cup campaign as the Seagulls won three qualifying matches in the FA Cup and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, where they lost 4–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers in front of a record attendance of 2,949.

After a string of poor results, Micky Bell was replaced by Director of Football, Ryan Northmore at the end of November 2014 with the Seagulls at the bottom of the table. Northmore took the team on a string of unbeaten games, taking them to promotion-challenging form. Unfortunately, this didn't continue, and after defeating Bath City at home 4–1 in a rearranged fixture the rejuvenated Seagulls didn't win another league game which saw them finish 17th.

The 2015–16 season saw the side struggle to gain a win throughout August in the League, winning just 1 point from 18, with that point coming at home in the Somerset Derby against Bath City.

Through September and October, the side couldn't maintain a consistent run of form and continued to lay low in the dreaded depths of the relegation zone.

However, toward the end of November, Ryan Northmore's troops pulled themselves up to 2nd in the league's form table by going 10 games unbeaten in the Nation League South from 21 November until 16 February. It ended when Weston couldn't maintain the run, losing 2–0 to Hayes & Yeading at the Woodspring.

The side momentarily lost form with losses coming against St. Albans and Wealdstone however, over the Easter weekend, the side bagged an important 3 points over Ebbsfleet thanks to Captain Dayle Grubb's impressive strikes.

This was followed by a tough defeat to relegation rivals Bath City, with Scott Wilson firing in during the 91st minute, but Bath hit back with a penalty in the 92nd minute and the winner from halfway in the 94th minute.

During the last month of the season, the Seagulls once again turned on the style and ended the season with 6 unbeaten games from 7, with Scott Wilson and Dayle Grubb netting in a 2–0 win over Maidstone to spark manic celebrations from the home fans at The Woodspring knowing that the Seagulls had avoided relegation.

With the season ending in a party atmosphere in Havant on 30 April, with fan favourite Scott Wilson sliding home at the far post to ultimately send Havant down and keep Margate down.

The club revealed a new crest after the end of the 2015–16 season.[17] Manager Ryan Northmore was sacked by the club on 18 September 2016 after a run of seven league losses and an FA Cup exit to North Leigh[18] Northmore was replaced by former Weston-super-Mare player and Forest Green Rovers caretaker manager Scott Bartlett on 3 October 2016.[19] Bartlett left the club at the end of the 2016–17 season after having led the Seagulls to 15th in the National League South.[20] Former player Marc McGregor was his replacement for the new season.[21]

McGregor's first season in charge saw the club finish in a credible 12th place[22] with McGregor being named Manager of the Month for November.[23] The 2018–19 season saw the club struggle for form, only picking up their first league win three months into the season[24] with their first home league win coming nearly three months later.[25] McGregor's time in charge came to an end in March 2019[26] with the club ultimately suffering the first relegation in their 137-year history finishing bottom of the National League South.[27] Scott Bartlett returned as the club's new manager ahead of the 2019–20 season.[28]

The club's first two seasons (2019–20 and 2020–21) back in the Southern Football League were abandoned prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29][30] The 2021–22 season saw Weston finish the season in fifth place, qualifying for the end of season playoffs but the Seagulls lost their semi-final 2–1 against Hayes and Yeading United to confirm their continued participation in the Southern League.[31]

The 2022–23 season saw Weston immediately challenging at the top of the table, spending much of the season battling with Truro City for the top spot and, despite a late challenge from Bracknell Town, Weston were crowned champions following an emphatic 4–1 win against Hendon securing a return to the National League South after four years.[32]

A respectable 13th-place finish was the result of the Seagulls' first season back in the sixth tier. In January 2024, Bartlett signed a new long-term contract.[33]

Ground

[edit]
Woodspring stadium

Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. play their home games at the Woodspring Stadium, currently known as the Optima Stadium for sponsorship reasons, on Winterstoke Road, where the club moved to in August 2004. They previously played at Woodspring Park a short distance away. The move marked the third time in the past 40 years that Weston-super-Mare has changed venues. The ground's capacity is 3,500 of which 2,000 are covered and 350 are seated.[34]

Woodspring Park had been built almost entirely by supporters and boasted a clubhouse costing £100,000.[3] The Park had been the home of Weston-super-Mare since 1983 and had floodlights installed in 1986.[3] The ground nearly had a greyhound track around the pitch, an idea that chairman Paul Bliss shot down.[8] Weston-super-Mare sold this ground to a residential home builder when it became apparent the club would move the short distance to the Woodspring Stadium. The last home fixture was played in April 2004.[34]

The ground for what is now Woodspring Stadium was formerly a sporting complex owned by Westland Aircraft known as Westland Sports Ground. It was home to cricket and football in addition to social buildings. Difficult financial times forced Westland to reconsider its place in town and put the ground up for sale. The club purchased it for £270,000 in 2001.[34] The Stadium opened 14 August 2004, with its first match against Conference South opponents Hornchurch drawing 500 people to the game.

In April 2021, the club announced plans to redevelop the stadium to include 750 additional seats and new terracing plus new club facilities and hospitality areas. The redevelopment would also allow the club the ability to increase capacity at the ground to 5,000 with 2,000 seats. This would allow the ground to host EFL League Two matches should the club ever be promoted to that level.[35]

The record attendance for this ground was 2,949 in a match in the FA Cup against Doncaster Rovers on 18 November 2014.

Current squad

[edit]

Updated 27 December 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK England ENG Max Harris (on loan from Cheltenham Town)
— DF England ENG Raphael Araoye (on loan from Bristol City)
— DF England ENG Sam Avery
— DF England ENG Jordan Bastin
— DF Wales WAL Emlyn Lewis (captain)
— DF England ENG Jason Pope
— DF England ENG Keiran Thomas
— MF England ENG Jacob Cane
— MF England ENG Ollie Chamberlain
— MF England ENG Luke Coulson (vice-captain)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF England ENG James Dodd
— MF England ENG Dylan Kadji
— MF Wales WAL James Waite
— FW England ENG Brandon Bak (on loan from Bristol City)
— FW England ENG Harvey Greenslade (on loan from Yeovil Town)
— FW England ENG Nick McCootie
— FW Wales WAL Sam Pearson
— FW England ENG Reuben Reid
— FW England ENG Marley Rose (on loan from Bristol City)

Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF Wales WAL Morgan Lewis (on loan at Taunton Town)
— MF England ENG Bailey Kempster (on loan at Tiverton Town)
— MF England ENG Oli Jenkins |other=on loan at Tiverton Town}}
— FW England ENG Jamie Soule (on loan at Mickleover)

Non-playing staff

[edit]

Board members

[edit]
Updated 23 July 2023.[36]
Position Name
Chairman Paul Bliss
President Dennis Usher
Managing director Oli Bliss
Director Lach Geddes
Alex Crowther
Ed Bliss
Academy Director Simon Panes

First team staff

[edit]
Updated 25 January 2023.[37]
Position Name
Manager Scott Bartlett
Assistant manager Scott Rogers
Goalkeeper Coach Steve Laker
Opposition Analyst Richard Joyce
Sport Therapist Taylor Cornish
Kitman Gordon Mackay
Head Groundsman Sam Trego
Grounds Advisor Bob Flaskett

Records

[edit]
  • Highest League Position:[5] 7th in Conference South 2012–13
  • FA Cup best performance:[5] Second round 2003–04
  • FA Trophy best performance:[5] Fourth round 1998–99, 2003–04, 2023–24
  • Highest Attendance:[3] 2,949 vs Doncaster Rovers – 2014–15 (F.A. Cup)

Former players

[edit]
  1. Players that have played/managed at least 40 games in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
  2. Players with full international caps.
  3. Players that have played/managed in another professional sport.

For those players that also played for the club but did not meet the criteria above:

See also: Category:Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. players

Former coaches

[edit]
  1. Managers/Coaches that have played/managed in the football league or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
  2. Managers/Coaches with full international caps.

Honours

[edit]

League

Cup

  • Somerset Premier Cup[15][16][38]
    • Winners: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2018–19
    • Runners-up: 1990–91, 2016–17
  • Clevedon and District Charity Cup
    • Winners: 1922–23
  • Western Senior Cup[3]
    • Winners: 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78
  • Western League Challenge Cup[39]
  • Western Merit Cup[3]
    • Winners: 1976–77, 1977–78
  • Western League Subsidiary Cup
    • Runners-up: 1959–60
  • Somerset Senior Cup[40]
    • Winners: 1926–27
  • Bristol Charity Cup[3]
    • Winners: 1922–23
  • Weston Charity Cup[3]
    • Winners: 1910–11
  • Clevedon Charity Cup
    • Runners-up: 1926–27

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Weston-super-Mare FC 2012/13 Blue Square Bet South fixtures released". This is Somerset. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  2. ^ Lewis, Tim (7 April 2019). "Mare of a season: Weston need miracle to avoid first-ever relegation". theguardian.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "History | Weston-super-Mare Football Club". Weston-s-mareafc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Western League 1892–1914". Nonleaguematters.net. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Weston-super-Mare at the Football Club History Database
  6. ^ a b "Western League 1945–1965". Nonleaguematters.net. 5 June 1947. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  7. ^ "Western League 1965–1985". Nonleaguematters.net. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  8. ^ a b Whitney, Steve (12 July 2016). "30 Years of Paul Bliss And Weston AFC". National League. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  9. ^ Gammie, Walter (13 October 2003). "Weston miss chance to make converts". The Times. London. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Southern League 2001–2011". Nonleaguematters.net. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  11. ^ "Website created using 350pages at www.350.com". Nonleaguematters.net. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  12. ^ "NonLeagueDaily.com". NonLeagueDaily.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  13. ^ "Cambridge City fail in FA appeal". BBC Sport Online. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
  14. ^ "Salisbury City lose their appeal against demotion". BBC News. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  15. ^ a b "Weston-super-Mare beat Yeovil Town to lift Somerset Cup". This is Bath. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Weston-super-Mare AFC defeat Clevedon Town to retain the Somerset Premier Cup – 09 May 2012 – Guide2Weston Super Mare News". Guide2westonsupermare.com. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  17. ^ "New crest revealed". Weston-super-Mare AFC. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  18. ^ "Northmore leaves the club". Weston-super-Mare AFC. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  19. ^ "Weston-super-Mare appoint Forest Green Academy boss Scott Bartlett as new manager". Stroud News & Journal. 3 October 2016.
  20. ^ Robins, Sheridan (14 June 2017). "Scott Bartlett leaves Weston-super-Mare after 7 months in charge with a 'heavy heart'". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  21. ^ Robins, Sheridan (16 June 2017). "Weston-super-Mare appoint Marc McGregor as new manager". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  22. ^ Frost, Sam (3 May 2018). "Seagulls show 'great character' to end season with win". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  23. ^ Angear, Simon (1 December 2017). "Weston boss nets Manager Of The Month award". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  24. ^ Frost, Sam (9 November 2018). "At last... Seagulls finally secure first league win". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  25. ^ Frost, Sam (29 January 2019). "At last... Weston win at home as quickfire brace guns down Rebels". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Weston-super-Mare part company with Marc McGregor". The Non-League Paper. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  27. ^ Frost, Sam (20 April 2019). "BREAKING: Weston relegated from National League South". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  28. ^ Frost, Sam (24 May 2019). "Scott Bartlett appointed Weston manager". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  29. ^ "Coronavirus: All football below National League to end". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  30. ^ "FA Update On Steps 3-6". 24 February 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  31. ^ Thomas, Joshua (26 April 2022). "Weston AFC knocked out of Southern Premier South play-offs after defeat at Hayes & Yeading United". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  32. ^ Thomas, Joshua (18 April 2023). "Weston AFC secure National League South promotion after Jackson treble". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  33. ^ "BARTLETT SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION". Weston-super-Mare AFC. 22 January 2024.
  34. ^ a b c [Groundtastic – The Football Grounds Magazine. GT40 – Spring 2005. Published 1 March 2005. Pages 34–37.]
  35. ^ "MAJOR OPTIMA STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT PLANS ANNOUNCED". Weston-super-Mare AFC. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  36. ^ "Board members". westonsmareafc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  37. ^ "First team – Staff". westonsmareafc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Football Club History Database – Somerset County Cups Summary". Fchd.info. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  39. ^ "Award Winners". Toolstation Western League. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  40. ^ "Senior Cup". SomersetFA. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
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