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{{short description|Association football club in England}} |
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{{Use British English|date=July 2014}} |
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} |
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{{Infobox football club |
{{Infobox football club |
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| clubname |
| clubname = Bamber Bridge |
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| image |
| image = Bamberbridgefc.png |
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| upright = 0.75 |
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| fullname = Bamber Bridge Football Club |
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| alt = Bamber Bridge club badge |
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| nickname = Officially The Worst Team In England if not Europe |
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| fullname = Bamber Bridge Football Club |
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| founded = 1974 |
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| nickname = Brig<ref name=NLCD>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) ''Non-League Club Directory 2013'', p392 {{ISBN|978-1-869833-77-0}}</ref> |
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| ground = [http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=QED_Stadium¶ms=53_43_40.32_N_2_40_18.94_W_region:GB_type:landmark Sir Tom Finney Stadium], [[Bamber Bridge]] |
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| founded = 1952 |
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| ground = Sir Tom Finney Stadium, [[Bamber Bridge]] |
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| chairman = Frank Doyle |
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| capacity = 2,642 (499 seated)<ref name=GI>[https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bamberbridge/a/match-day-information-48611.html Ground information] Bamber Bridge F.C.</ref> |
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| manager = Neil Crowe |
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| chairman = Brian Ginty |
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| league = [[Northern Premier League]]<br>[[Northern Premier League Division One North|Division One North]] |
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| manager = [[Jamie Milligan]] |
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| season = [[2014–15 Northern Premier League|2014–15]] |
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| league = {{English football updater|BamberBr}} |
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| position = [[Northern Premier League]]<br>[[Northern Premier League Division One North|Division One North]], 3rd |
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| season = {{English football updater|BamberBr2}} |
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| pattern_la1=_blackshoulders|pattern_b1=_blackleftsideshoulder|pattern_ra1=_blackshoulders|pattern_sh1=_whitebottom |
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| position = {{English football updater|BamberBr3}} |
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| pattern_la1= _macronalioth22wb |pattern_b1= _macronalioth22wb |pattern_ra1= _macronalioth22wb |pattern_sh1=_whitesides|pattern_so1=_hoops_white |
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| leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=000000 |
| leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=000000 |
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| pattern_la2=|pattern_b2= |
| pattern_la2= _macrontureis21yb |pattern_b2= _macrontureis21yb |pattern_ra2= _macrontureis21yb |pattern_sh2=_blacksides|pattern_so2=_hoops_yellow |
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| leftarm2= |
| leftarm2=FFFF00|body2=FFFF00|rightarm2=FFFF00|shorts2=FFFF00|socks2=000000 |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Bamber Bridge |
'''Bamber Bridge Football Club''' is a [[Association football|football]] club based in [[Bamber Bridge]], near [[Preston, Lancashire]], England. They are currently members of the {{English football updater|BamberBr}} and play at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. The club is fully owned by a community organisation that represents supporters of the club.<ref>[http://clubdevelopment.coop/homepage/case-study/bamber-bridge-fc/ Supporters Direct Case Study: Bamber Bridge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511083445/http://clubdevelopment.coop/homepage/case-study/bamber-bridge-fc/ |date=11 May 2015 }} Supporters Direct</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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A Bamber Bridge club played in the late 19th century, but the modern club was established in 1952.<ref name=H2>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090207062921/http://bamberbridgefc.co.uk/history/history.htm Club History] Bamber Bridge F.C.</ref> The new club joined the Preston & District League, progressing to the Senior Division.<ref name=H2/> In 1974 they merged with Walton-le-Dale, continuing in the Preston & District League. They went on to win the league's Guildhall Cup in 1978–79, before completing a Premier Division and cup double in 1980–81. After winning the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield in 1981–82 and another Guildhall Cup win in 1984–85, they won back-to-back Premier Division titles in the next two seasons, before winning a league and cup double in 1989–90.<ref>[http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bamberbridge/a/club-honours-23043.html Club honours] Bamber Bridge F.C.</ref> |
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In 1990 Bamber Bridge moved up to Division Two of the [[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties League]].<ref name=FCHD>{{fchd|id=BAMBERBR|name=Bamber Bridge}}</ref> Their [[1991–92 North West Counties Football League|second season]] in the league saw them win the division, resulting in promotion to Division One; they also reached the semi-finals of the [[FA Vase]], where they lost 2–0 to [[Wimborne Town F.C.|Wimborne Town]].<ref name=FCHD/> After finishing as runners-up in Division One in the following season ([[1992–93 North West Counties Football League|1992–93]]), a second successive promotion was achieved when the club moved up to Division One of the [[Northern Premier League]].<ref name=FCHD/> |
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===Early years=== |
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The club can trace its origins to the late 19th century. The club were re-formed in 1952 as a junior club in the Preston and District League.<ref name="BBFChistory">{{cite news|url=http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/history/history.htm|title=Club History|publisher=Bamber Bridge F.C.|accessdate=13 December 2008}}</ref> |
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In [[1994–95 Northern Premier League|1994–95]], a second-place finish saw Bamber Bridge promoted to the Premier Division, with the club also winning the league's Challenge Cup in their first season in the league and victory in the final of the [[Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy]]. The [[1995–96 Northern Premier League|following season]] they won the Premier Division, which would have usually resulted in promotion to the [[Football Conference]]. However, Irongate was not deemed up to standard for the fifth tier, and the club remained in the Northern Premier League,<ref name=BBC/> |
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The current club was formed in 1974 following an amalgamation with neighbouring Walton-le-Dale F.C.<ref name="BBFCindex">{{cite news|url=http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/index.htm|title=Bamber Bridge Football Club|date=30 April 2008|publisher=Bamber Bridge F.C.|accessdate=13 December 2008}}</ref> They won the Lytham Medal Competition in 1975–76 and the Lancastrian Brigade Cup in 1976–77. The following season they were losing finalists in the Preston and District League Guildhall Cup, and in the 1978–79 season they were Premier Division runners-up and won the Guildhall Cup, their first major trophy. In 1979–80 they were losing finalists again in the Guildhall Cup. In 1980–81 they were Premier Division champions and also won the Guildhall Cup for a second time as well as being losing finalists in the [[Lancashire County Football Association#County Cups|Lancashire FA Amateur Shield]]. They won the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield in 1981–82. In 1982–83 they were Premier Division runners-up then in 1983–84 they were Premier Division Ward Shield losing finalists. They were runners-up in the Premier Division once again in 1984–85 and won the Guildhall Cup for a third time. The following season they were crowned Premier Division champions for a second time and won the league for a third time in 1986–87. They were losing finalists again in 1987–88. In 1989–90 they were Premier Division champion for a fourth and final time and also won the Guldhall Cup, the Lancastrian Brigade Cup and were losing finalists in the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield.<ref name="BBFChistory"/><ref name="BBFChonours">{{cite news|url=http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/history/honours.htm|title=Club Honours|publisher=Bamber Bridge F.C.|accessdate=13 December 2008}}</ref> |
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In [[1999–2000 FA Cup|1999–2000]] Bamber Bridge reached the first round of the [[FA Cup]] for the first time. After beating [[St Albans City F.C.|St Albans City]] 2–0, they lost 1–0 at [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] in the second round.<ref name=FCHD/> The club remained in the Premier Division until the end of the [[2001–02 Northern Premier League|2001–02 season]], in which they finished bottom; although they beat [[Radcliffe Borough F.C.|Radcliffe Borough]] 3–2 in the promotion/relegation play-off semi-final, they were beaten 2–1 by [[Ashton United F.C.|Ashton United]] in the final.<ref name=FCHD/> |
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===Move up to the North West Counties Football League and beyond=== |
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In the [[1990–91 in English football|1990–91 season]] the club joined the [[North West Counties Football League]] in Division Two. Their also won the Lancastrian Brigade Cup for a third time. |
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Although Bamber Bridge returned to the Premier Division as a result of league restructuring following the creation of the [[National League North|Conference North]] and [[National League South|South]], their stay was short-lived as they were relegated to Division One at the end of the [[2004–05 Northern Premier League|2004–05 season]].<ref name=FCHD/> However, the season did see them win the President's Cup. When the league added a third division in 2007, the club were placed in Division One North.<ref name=FCHD/> |
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The [[1991–92 in English football|following season]] they were promoted to Division One as champions and also reached the semi-finals of the [[FA Vase]] as well as reaching the final of the North West Counties Football League Floodlit Trophy. In [[1992–93 in English football|1992–93]] they were runners-up in Division One on [[goal difference]] winning a second successive promotion, this time to the [[Northern Premier League]] [[Northern Premier League First Division|First Division]]. In [[1993–94 in English football|1993–94]] they were losing finalists in the First Division Cup. They were Division One runners-up in [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95]] and promoted to the [[Northern Premier League Premier Division|Premier Division]]. They also won the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup and the [[Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy]].<ref name="BBFChistory"/><ref name="BBFChonours"/> |
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A fourth-place finish in [[2013–14 Northern Premier League|2013–14]] saw Bamber Bridge qualify for the promotion play-offs. After beating [[Warrington Town F.C.|Warrington Town]] 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–2 to [[Ramsbottom United F.C.|Ramsbottom United]] in the final.<ref name=FCHD/> In the [[2014–15 Northern Premier League|following season]] they finished third, again qualifying for the play-offs, this time losing 2–0 to [[Darlington 1883]] in the final after beating [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]] 2–1 in the semi-final.<ref name=FCHD/> A fourth-place finish in [[2017–18 Northern Premier League|2017–18]] saw the club reach the play-offs, in which they defeated [[Tadcaster Albion A.F.C.|Tadcaster Albion]] 2–1 in the semi-finals and [[Prescot Cables F.C.|Prescot Cables]] 1–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division. The club qualified for the play-offs again in [[2022–23 Northern Premier League|2022–23]] after finishing third in the league; following a 5–4 win on penalties against [[Gainsborough Trinity F.C.|Gainsborough Trinity]] in the semi-finals (after a 1–1 draw), they lost the final 1–0 to [[Warrington Town F.C.|Warrington Town]]. |
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Managed by former player Tony Greenwood, they won the Northern Premier League championship at the first attempt in [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]] as well as being losing finalists in both the Northern Premier League Challenge Shield and the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy. However, they were ineligible for promotion to the [[Football Conference]], because of ground grading issues, and Greenwood departed. The following season they were once again losing finalists in the Northern Premier League Challenge Shield. In 1999–2000 they were again losing finalists in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy. However, the highlight of the season was reaching the second round of the [[FA Cup]] for the first time where they lost 1–0 to [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] who at the time were in the [[Football League Second Division]]. Cambridge claimed a close win with a disputed penalty. Once again the club were managed by Greenwood, who had returned in 1999. They were relegated to the First Division in [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]] after the play-offs in which they beat [[Radcliffe Borough F.C.|Radcliffe Borough]] 3–2 in the semi-finals, before losing to [[Ashton United F.C.|Ashton United]] 2–1 in the final. They were promoted back to the Premier Division in [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]] following the 2004 Conference expansion.<ref name="BBFChistory"/><ref name="BBFChonours"/> |
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==Ground== |
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Their stay though was short-lived and the club were relegated back to the First Division once more in the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season. However, they did win the Northern Premier League President's Cup. In the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08 season]], following a restructuring of the Northern Premier League they joined the new [[Northern Premier League Division One North]].<ref name="BBFChistory"/> |
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Following the 1974 merger, the club played at the King George's Playing Field.<ref name=H2/> In 1983 they purchased a plot of derelict land to build their own ground, with the name Irongate taken from the local area.<ref name=H2/> The first game was played in August 1987.<ref name=H>[http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bamberbridge/a/club-history-23042.html History] Bamber Bridge F.C.</ref> The ground was officially named the Sir [[Tom Finney]] Stadium after Finney's death in 2014.<ref>[http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/sport/football/brig-stadium-to-be-named-after-sir-tom-1-6548185 Brig stadium to be named after Sir Tom] Chorley Guardian, 8 April 2014</ref> It currently has a capacity of 2,642, of which 499 is seated.<ref name=GI/> |
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The record attendance of 2,300 was set for a friendly match against the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic national team]] shortly before [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 96]], as the Czechs were using Irongate as a training ground;<ref name=H/> the result was a 9–1 win for the Czechs.<ref name=BBC>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34478181 FA Cup: Pilsners and Patrik Berger at Bamber Bridge] BBC Sport, 9 October 2015</ref> The ground has also formerly hosted the home games of the [[Fylde Ladies F.C.|Preston North End women's team]] and [[Blackburn Rovers L.F.C.|Blackburn Rovers Ladies]] (2016–2022).<ref>[http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/blackburn-rovers-ladies-bamber-bridge-irongate-3180856.aspx Ladies to play at Bamber Bridge] Blackburn Rovers, 12 July 2016</ref> |
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In [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]] they finished in fifth position in a season which also saw a crowd of 1,435 for the home league game against [[F.C. United of Manchester|FC United of Manchester]] on 17 November 2007.<ref name="BBFC2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/2007-08/season.htm|title=2007–08 season results|date=30 April 2008|publisher=Bamber Bridge F.C.|accessdate=13 December 2008}}</ref> On 9 April 2008, Bamber Bridge conceded two goals in the first 47 seconds of their 0–3 defeat by [[Newcastle Blue Star F.C.|Newcastle Blue Star]], which is believed to be a world record.<ref name="bbc7343189">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7343189.stm|title=Blue Star double may be a record|date=11 April 2008|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|accessdate=20 April 2008}}</ref> In the promotion Play-offs they were beaten 3–2 in the semi-finals on 30 April 2008 by FC United of Manchester.<ref name="BBFChistory"/><ref name="BBFC2007"/> |
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The club were unable to sustain a promotion challenge in [[2008–09 in English football|2008–09]], finishing the season 11th. Towards the end of the season, manager Phil Entwistle was appointed general manager. He was replaced by Tony Greenwood, returning for his third spell in the manager's seat after five successful years at [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]]. |
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In the [[2013–14 in English football|2013–14]] season, the management team of Neil Crowe and Neil Reynolds had an amazing 11 match unbeaton run which would eventually help the club into a top 4 finish. After beating Warrington Town away 0–1 the final was set to be played at the newly named Sir Tom Finney Stadium against Ramsbottom United. The match was watched by 1206 fans, with the final being won in extra time by Ramsbottom 2–3. |
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==Community Ownership== |
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The club is now fully owned by a community organisation that represent supporters of the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clubdevelopment.coop/homepage/case-study/bamber-bridge-fc/|title=Supporters Direct Case Study: Bamber Bridge|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> |
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==Stadium== |
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Bamber Bridge play their home games at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. The club bought the land in 1983 and spent the next four years developing it into a football pitch, naming it Irongate after the local area. The current name was introduced in 2014 to honour the recently deceased great local legend, Sir Tom Finney.<ref>[http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2014/04/bamber-bridge-fc-to-rename-their-stadium-after-sir-tom-finney/]</ref> |
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The first game was played in August 1987 and since then the stadium has seen a number of developments. Floodlights were installed in the early 1990s.<ref name="BBFChistory"/> |
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In 1996 the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic national team]] beat Bamber Bridge 9–1 in a warm up game for the [[Euro 96|1996 European Championships]] in front of a record crowd of 2,300.<ref name="BBFChistory"/> As well as the home games of Bamber Bridge, the stadium also hosts the home games of [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] Ladies team. |
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===Social Club End=== |
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The Social Club End behind one goal has the social club behind the goal which has a sponsors lounge on the first floor which is used on match days. There is also a covered terrace to the side of the social club which also houses the Brig'ers Sports Bar.<ref name="BBFCstadium">{{cite news|url=http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/club/stadium.htm|title=QED Stadium|publisher=Bamber Bridge F.C.|accessdate=13 December 2008}}</ref> |
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===Bamber Bridge End=== |
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Behind the other goal is the Bamber Bridge End which has a covered terrace running the width of the pitch.<ref name="BBFCstadium"/> |
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===Jez Baldwin Stand=== |
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The Jez Baldwin Stand is situated at one side of the pitch. It houses 500 spectators with the letters BBFC imprited in white lettering on the seats which are mostly black. The stand is currently sponsored by Travelwise and it was built with money from both the [[The Football League|Football League]] Trust and the club's 1999–2000 FA Cup run.<ref name="BBFCstadium"/> |
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===Popular Side=== |
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At the other side of the pitch is the only undeveloped side of the stadium which is an uncovered grassy bank. It is though still used by supporters.<ref name="BBFCstadium"/> |
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==Players== |
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:''As of 14 May 2013.''<ref name="ACFC7">{{cite news |
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| title = Players & Staff |
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| url = http://www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk/player-profiles.php |
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| publisher = Bamber Bridge F.C. |
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| accessdate = 17 September 2011}}</ref> |
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{{Fs start}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Lee Dovey|pos=GK}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Luke Atherton|pos=DF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Paul Alexander|pos=DF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Matt Lawlor|pos=DF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Phil Doughty|pos=DF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Matt Mahoney|pos=DF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=George Bowyer|pos=DF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=[[Matty Kay]]|pos=MF|other= [[Captain (association football)|Captain]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Zach Clarke|pos=MF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=[[Paul McKenna (footballer)|Paul McKenna]]|pos=FW}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Chris Marlow|pos=MF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Curtis Thompson|pos=MF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Alistair Waddecar|pos=MF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Neil Reynolds|pos=MF}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=Alex Taylor|pos=FW}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=[[Jon Macken]]|pos=FW}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=Scotland|name=Mark Buchan|pos=FW}} |
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{{Fs player|no=—|nat=England|name=[[Andy Bell (footballer born 1984)|Andy Bell]]|pos=FW}} |
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{{Fs end}} |
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==Non-playing staff== |
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{| class="toccolours" |
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!bgcolor=silver|Name |
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!bgcolor=silver|Role |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Frank Doyle || Chairman |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Cath Doherty || Treasurer |
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|- |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Geoff Wright || Club secretary |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} George Helliwell || Director of Football |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Paul Vause|| Website |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Stefan Willoughby|| Official Photographer / Social Media |
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|- |
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|-|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Karen Browne, Amanda Cummings, Catherine Doherty, Geoff Hebson, Gerry Lawson, Brian Littlefair, Bob Livesey, Paul Vause, Peter Nowell, John Rodger || committee members |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Neil Crowe || First-team manager |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Neil Reynolds || Assistant manager |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Mick Taylor|| Trainer |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Stuart Barton|| Goalkeeping Coach |
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|- |
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|-bgcolor=#eeeeee |
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| {{flagicon|England}} Gus Muncaster || Sports therapist |
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|- |
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|} |
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==Honours== |
==Honours== |
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*'''Northern Premier League''' |
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**Premier Division champions 1995–96 |
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===League=== |
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**Challenge Cup winners 1994–94 |
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*'''[[Northern Premier League Premier Division]] champions''': [[1995–96 Northern Premier League|1995–96]] |
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**President's Cup winners 2004–05 |
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*'''[[North West Counties Football League]] Division Two champions''': [[1991–92 North West Counties Football League|1991–92]] |
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*'''North West Counties League''' |
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*'''Preston and District League Premier Division champions''': 1980–81, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1989–90 |
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**Division Two champions 1991–92 |
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*'''Preston and District League''' |
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===Cup=== |
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**Premier Division champions 1980–81, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1989–90 |
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*'''[[Northern Premier League Challenge Cup]] winners''': 1994–95 |
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**Guildhall Cup winners 1978–79, 1980–81, 1984–85, 1989–90 |
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*'''[[Northern Premier League President's Cup]] winners''': 2004–05 |
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*''' |
*'''Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy''' |
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**Winners 1994–95 |
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*''' |
*'''Lancashire FA Amateur Shield''' |
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**Winners 1981–82 |
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*'''Preston and District League Guildhall Cup winners''': 1978–79, 1980–81, 1984–85, 1989–90 |
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*'''Lancastrian Brigade Cup |
*'''Lancastrian Brigade Cup''' |
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**Winners 1976–77, 1989–90, 1990–91 |
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*'''Lytham Medal Competition |
*'''Lytham Medal Competition''' |
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**Winners 1975–76 |
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==Records== |
==Records== |
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*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Second round, [[1999–2000 FA Cup|1999–2000]]<ref name=FCHD/> |
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* Best league position: First in the [[Northern Premier League Premier Division]] (then level six of the [[English Football League System]]), [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]] |
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* |
*Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Second round, [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95]], [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]], [[1998–99 in English football|1998–99]], [[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]]<ref name=FCHD/> |
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* |
*Best [[FA Vase]] performance: Semi-finals, [[1991–92 in English football|1991–92]]<ref name=FCHD/> |
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*Record attendance: 2,300 vs [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]], friendly, 1996<ref name=NLCD/> |
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* Best [[FA Vase]] performance: semi-final, [[1991–92 in English football|1991–92]] |
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*Record transfer fee received: £15,000 from [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] for [[Tony Black (footballer)|Tony Black]], 1995<ref name=NLCD/> |
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*Record transfer fee paid: £10,000 to [[Leigh Genesis F.C.|Horwich RMI]] for Mark Edwards<ref name=NLCD/> |
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== |
==See also== |
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*{{c|Bamber Bridge F.C. players}} |
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*{{c|Bamber Bridge F.C. managers}} |
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===Averages=== |
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At the end of the 2013–14 season, the average league-game attendance at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium was 234, which places Bamber Bridge in the top 5 for the division. |
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'''Past averages''': |
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*[[2011–12 in English football|2011–12]]: 145 |
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*[[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]]: 320<ref>Due mostly to a crowd of 1,435 for the visit of [[F.C. United of Manchester]]</ref> |
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*[[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]]: 164 |
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*[[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]]: 172 |
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*[[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]]: 172 |
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*[[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]]: 207 |
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==References== |
==References== |
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| Line 174: | Line 78: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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* |
*[http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bamberbridge Official website] |
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* [http://www.fulwoodacademy.co.uk// Fulwood Academy – Official BBFC Stadium Sponsors] |
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*{{fchd|id=BAMBERBR|name=Bamber Bridge}} |
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{{Northern Premier League}} |
{{Northern Premier League}} |
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{{Borough of South Ribble culture}} |
{{Borough of South Ribble culture}} |
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{{coord|53|43|40|N|2|40|19|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}} |
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{{coord|53|43|40.321|N|2|40|18.941|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Bamber Bridge F.C.| ]] |
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[[Category:Northern Premier League clubs]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:37, 11 September 2024
 | |||
| Full name | Bamber Bridge Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Brig[1] | ||
| Founded | 1952 | ||
| Ground | Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge | ||
| Capacity | 2,642 (499 seated)[2] | ||
| Chairman | Brian Ginty | ||
| Manager | Jamie Milligan | ||
| League | Northern Premier League Premier Division | ||
| 2023–24 | Northern Premier League Premier Division, 16th of 21 | ||
|
| |||
Bamber Bridge Football Club is a football club based in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire, England. They are currently members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. The club is fully owned by a community organisation that represents supporters of the club.[3]
History
[edit]A Bamber Bridge club played in the late 19th century, but the modern club was established in 1952.[4] The new club joined the Preston & District League, progressing to the Senior Division.[4] In 1974 they merged with Walton-le-Dale, continuing in the Preston & District League. They went on to win the league's Guildhall Cup in 1978–79, before completing a Premier Division and cup double in 1980–81. After winning the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield in 1981–82 and another Guildhall Cup win in 1984–85, they won back-to-back Premier Division titles in the next two seasons, before winning a league and cup double in 1989–90.[5]
In 1990 Bamber Bridge moved up to Division Two of the North West Counties League.[6] Their second season in the league saw them win the division, resulting in promotion to Division One; they also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, where they lost 2–0 to Wimborne Town.[6] After finishing as runners-up in Division One in the following season (1992–93), a second successive promotion was achieved when the club moved up to Division One of the Northern Premier League.[6]
In 1994–95, a second-place finish saw Bamber Bridge promoted to the Premier Division, with the club also winning the league's Challenge Cup in their first season in the league and victory in the final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy. The following season they won the Premier Division, which would have usually resulted in promotion to the Football Conference. However, Irongate was not deemed up to standard for the fifth tier, and the club remained in the Northern Premier League,[7]
In 1999–2000 Bamber Bridge reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time. After beating St Albans City 2–0, they lost 1–0 at Cambridge United in the second round.[6] The club remained in the Premier Division until the end of the 2001–02 season, in which they finished bottom; although they beat Radcliffe Borough 3–2 in the promotion/relegation play-off semi-final, they were beaten 2–1 by Ashton United in the final.[6]
Although Bamber Bridge returned to the Premier Division as a result of league restructuring following the creation of the Conference North and South, their stay was short-lived as they were relegated to Division One at the end of the 2004–05 season.[6] However, the season did see them win the President's Cup. When the league added a third division in 2007, the club were placed in Division One North.[6]
A fourth-place finish in 2013–14 saw Bamber Bridge qualify for the promotion play-offs. After beating Warrington Town 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–2 to Ramsbottom United in the final.[6] In the following season they finished third, again qualifying for the play-offs, this time losing 2–0 to Darlington 1883 in the final after beating Northwich Victoria 2–1 in the semi-final.[6] A fourth-place finish in 2017–18 saw the club reach the play-offs, in which they defeated Tadcaster Albion 2–1 in the semi-finals and Prescot Cables 1–0 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division. The club qualified for the play-offs again in 2022–23 after finishing third in the league; following a 5–4 win on penalties against Gainsborough Trinity in the semi-finals (after a 1–1 draw), they lost the final 1–0 to Warrington Town.
Ground
[edit]Following the 1974 merger, the club played at the King George's Playing Field.[4] In 1983 they purchased a plot of derelict land to build their own ground, with the name Irongate taken from the local area.[4] The first game was played in August 1987.[8] The ground was officially named the Sir Tom Finney Stadium after Finney's death in 2014.[9] It currently has a capacity of 2,642, of which 499 is seated.[2]
The record attendance of 2,300 was set for a friendly match against the Czech Republic national team shortly before Euro 96, as the Czechs were using Irongate as a training ground;[8] the result was a 9–1 win for the Czechs.[7] The ground has also formerly hosted the home games of the Preston North End women's team and Blackburn Rovers Ladies (2016–2022).[10]
Honours
[edit]- Northern Premier League
- Premier Division champions 1995–96
- Challenge Cup winners 1994–94
- President's Cup winners 2004–05
- North West Counties League
- Division Two champions 1991–92
- Preston and District League
- Premier Division champions 1980–81, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1989–90
- Guildhall Cup winners 1978–79, 1980–81, 1984–85, 1989–90
- Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
- Winners 1994–95
- Lancashire FA Amateur Shield
- Winners 1981–82
- Lancastrian Brigade Cup
- Winners 1976–77, 1989–90, 1990–91
- Lytham Medal Competition
- Winners 1975–76
Records
[edit]- Best FA Cup performance: Second round, 1999–2000[6]
- Best FA Trophy performance: Second round, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000[6]
- Best FA Vase performance: Semi-finals, 1991–92[6]
- Record attendance: 2,300 vs Czech Republic, friendly, 1996[1]
- Record transfer fee received: £15,000 from Wigan Athletic for Tony Black, 1995[1]
- Record transfer fee paid: £10,000 to Horwich RMI for Mark Edwards[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p392 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
- ^ a b Ground information Bamber Bridge F.C.
- ^ Supporters Direct Case Study: Bamber Bridge Archived 11 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine Supporters Direct
- ^ a b c d Club History Bamber Bridge F.C.
- ^ Club honours Bamber Bridge F.C.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Bamber Bridge at the Football Club History Database
- ^ a b FA Cup: Pilsners and Patrik Berger at Bamber Bridge BBC Sport, 9 October 2015
- ^ a b History Bamber Bridge F.C.
- ^ Brig stadium to be named after Sir Tom Chorley Guardian, 8 April 2014
- ^ Ladies to play at Bamber Bridge Blackburn Rovers, 12 July 2016