Colne F.C.
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| Full name | Colne Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Reds | ||
| Founded | 1996 | ||
| Ground | XLCR Vehicle Management Stadium, Colne | ||
| Capacity | 1,800 | ||
| Chairman | Shaun O'Neill | ||
| Manager | Steve Cunningham | ||
| League | North West Counties League Premier Division | ||
| 2023–24 | North West Counties League Premier Division, 11th of 24 | ||
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Colne Football Club are an English football club based at the Holt House Stadium in Colne, Lancashire. They were established in 1996 and currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One North following promotion as North West Counties League Premier Division champions in 2015/16. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.
History
There used to be a club who were also called Colne F.C. (formerly Trawden Forest F.C.) who played in the Lancashire Combination in the early 20th century. However they are unrelated to the current club. The town also had another club, Colne Dynamoes who folded in 1990.
Colne were formed in January 1996 and were placed in the North West Counties Football League Division Two. The club's first competitive game was against Middlewich Athletic on 17 August 1996.[1] They finished in last place in their first season, 1996–97. They remained at that level, mostly finishing mid-table until winning the Division Two title in 2003–04, scoring 102 goals in 38 league games and earning themselves promotion to Division One.[2] They also had a remarkable FA Vase run that season, progressing all the way to the semi-finals before losing 4–3 over two legs to Sudbury.[2] The home leg on 20 March 2004, saw a record crowd of 1,742 at the XLCR Vehicle Management Stadium.[3] The club also won the Division Two Cup, beating Great Harwood Town 1–0 in the final.[1][4]
The club's best FA Cup performance came the following season, when they progressed to the second qualifying round and they finished in tenth place in Division One. Their 2007–08 season final position of fifth is the highest they have so far reached.[1][2]
The club have plans to establish a Football Academy in conjunction with Nelson and Colne College.[5][6]
Colne's main local rivals are Nelson. Other local games include Bacup Borough, Padiham, Ramsbottom United, Silsden and Darwen.
In 2013, first team manager, Nigel Coates, stood down after 10 years service, and Steve Cunningham was appointed in his place.[7][8]
Shaun O'Neill was introduced as new chairman at the club's annual presentation event in May 2014.[9]
In 2016, Colne won the North West Counties League Premier Division title for the first time and were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One North for the 2016/17 season.
Stadium
The Holt House stadium is the same ground used by Colne Dynamoes who progressed to the highest levels of non-league football before folding in 1990 and then Colne Royal British Legion who folded in 1995. Colne took over the stadium when they were elected to the North West Counties Football League in 1996.[10]
The club has plans in place, with Pendle Council, to develop a new multi-use 3,300 capacity stadium, including seating for 300, on an open area of land between Holt House and the nearby Nelson & Colne Rugby Club. The development will comprise a new stadium, changing rooms for the stadium and also changing rooms for all the other pitches at Holt House that are used by local teams. There will be a function room, club house, physio and medical rooms, and the stadium facilities overall will be up to Conference National standard.[5][6]
Attendances
Records
- Largest attendance at Holt House Stadium: 1,742 v A.F.C. Sudbury, FA Vase 20 March 2004
- Largest club attendance: 2,762 v F.C. United of Manchester (Played at the Interlink Express Stadium, Accrington)[citation needed]
Averages
The average league-game attendance at the Holt House Stadium for the 2015–16 season was 256, which placed Colne 3rd for the division, and was an increase of 40.6% from the previous season.
Past averages:
- 2015–16: 256
- 2014–15: 182
- 2013–14: 95
- 2012–13: 72
- 2011–12: 73
- 2010–11: 102
- 2009–10: 75
- 2008–09: 80
- 2007–08: 105
- 2006–07: 139
- 2005–06: 125
- 2004–05: 159
- 2003–04: 137
Source: Tony Kempster's site Non League Matters NW Counties Football League site
Players
- As of 30th June 2015.[11]
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Non-playing staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
 Shaun O'Neill |
Chairman |
 Richard Harries |
Vice-Chairman |
| David Blacklock |
Hon. Life President |
| Janette Harries |
Treasurer |
| Ed Lambert |
Club secretary |
| Ben Metcalfe |
Media manager |
| Steve Cunningham |
First-team manager |
| Ted Cockett |
Assistant manager |
| Kelsey Toothill |
Physiotherapist |
| Louise Atherton |
photographer |
Honours
- North West Counties League Division Two champions: 2003–04
- North West Counties League Division Two Cup winners: 2003–04
- North West Counties League Premier Division champions: 2015–16
References
- ^ a b c "History of Colne FC". Colne F.C. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ a b c "Colne". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ "FA Vase Semi Finals". Tony's English football site. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ "Contact Us". Colne F.C. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ a b "New Stadium for Colne??". Colne F.C. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ a b "Stadium Plans progressing well". Colne F.C. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ "Manager stands down". Colne F.C. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ "New manager appointed". Colne F.C. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
- ^ "New Club Chairman Announced". Colne F.C. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ "Colne FC". Pyramid Passion. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
- ^ "Player Profiles". Colne F.C. Retrieved 15 December 2008.
External links
- Official website
- Colne at the Football Club History Database