New Milton Town F.C.
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| Full name | New Milton Town Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Linnets | ||
| Founded | 1998 | ||
| Ground | Fawcetts Field, New Milton | ||
| Capacity | 3,000 (262 seated)[1] | ||
| Chair | Lou Fern | ||
| Manager | Patrick Wilson | ||
| League | Wessex League Division One | ||
| 2023–24 | Wessex League Division One, 19th of 21 | ||
| Website | http://www.newmiltontownfc.com | ||
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New Milton Town Football Club is a football club based in New Milton, Hampshire, England. They are currently members of the Wessex League Division One and play at Fawcetts Field.
History
The club was established in 1998 under the name Lymington & New Milton as a merger of AFC Lymington from the Wessex League and New Milton Town from Division Two of the Hampshire League, with the new club playing at New Milton Town's Fawcetts Field ground. The amalgamation of the two clubs also led to the formation of Lymington Town, who entered Division Three of the Hampshire League, and a new New Milton club based in Milford-on-Sea, who joined Division Two for a single season before folding.[2][3] In their first season, Lymington & New Milton retained the Wessex League title won by AFC Lymington in 1997–98.[4] However, they were unable to take promotion as their ground failed to meet the requirements.[2] They were runners-up in the league in each of the next two seasons,[4] making another failed application for promotion in 1999–2000.[2]
In 2003–04 Lymington & New Milton were Wessex League champions, earning promotion to Division One of the Isthmian League.[4] However, after a single season in the Isthmian League, they were transferred to Division One South & West of the Southern League.[4] Despite finishing above the relegation zone in 2006–07, the club resigned from the league at the end of the season after most of the club's officials resigned.[2] Dropping back into the Premier Division of the Wessex League, the club were renamed New Milton Town.[4] In 2012–13 they finished bottom of the Premier Division and were relegated to Division One after rescinding their resignation from the league when a proposed merger with Bashley fell through.[2][5]
With a few years struggling to to hold a team together and having any sort of stability, a new Chairman was appointed in May 2108 with Lou Fern taking over at the helm, with a directive from the 2 owners to bring a more professional outlook to the football section of the club. Within weeks Patrick Wilson UEFA B - UEFA B Futsal - FA Advanced Youth Award - Academy Football Coach at AFC Bournemouth was appointed as Manager of the Men's First Team. Bringing with him support staff in Paul Topping & Ben Cooper. WIth a wealth of young AFCB Development players signing on within the first few weeks, the club suddenly has a very healthy look in terms of player ethics & preperation. Chris Emms has again taking the reigns as reserve team manager, and the club is looking forwards to building on the new look foundations.
Ground
The club play at Fawcetts Field on Christchurch Road. The ground has a cantilever seated stand on one side of the pitch, with the other three sides left undeveloped.[6] It has a capacity of 3,000, of which 262 is seated.[1]
Honours
- Wessex League
- Champions 1998–99, 2004–05
Records
- Best FA Cup performance: Fourth qualifying round, 1999–2000, 2003–04, 2004–05[4]
- Best FA Trophy performance: First qualifying round, 2005–06[4]
- Best FA Vase performance: Quarter-finals, 1998–99[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p808 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
- ^ a b c d e New Milton Town Wessex League
- ^ Hampshire League 1992–2004 Non-League Matters
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lymington & New Milton at the Football Club History Database
- ^ New Milton Town at the Football Club History Database
- ^ Lymington & New Milton Pyramid Passion