The History of Keynsham Town F.C.
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Keynsham Town Football Club was formed in 1896, and played at “The Hams” until 1910, when they moved to “Gaston”. In 1925, they relocated again to a pitch at Park Road for five seasons before making a further move, this time to Charlton Road. All of these sites have now been built upon.

In 1939 the club was disbanded for the period of the Second World War, reforming in 1945 when they took up residence at the Crown Field. Keynsham owe a great deal of thanks to the foresight of the then Committee spearheaded by Roy Neal and Ken Dowling for purchasing the land to ensure that football would be enjoyed by many generations to come at the Crown Field.

The main clubhouse was built in the 1970’s with new dressing rooms added in 1984, followed by the installation of floodlights in 1989. In recent years the clubhouse has been upgraded and seating added in the covered stand. In the summer of 1996 the playing surface underwent major surgery with new drains being laid.

 

 

 

The club first played in the Bristol & District League and progressed through the Bristol Premier Combination and Somerset Senior League to the Western League, which then consisted of only one division in 1974, before being relegated to the new First Division in 1975-76. Two years later they returned to the Premier Division as First Division Champions, but were relegated one more time in 1982-83. 

A barren spell followed, which culminated in promotion back to the Premier Division in 1997, finishing 2nd to Melksham Town under Graham Bird, but a brief flirtation ended in relegation 2 seasons later under another manager Malcolm Beck.  Keynsham regained Premier status, again as runners-up in 2000, this time to Team Bath under their third manager in as many years, Paul Hirons, where they have stayed ever since. 

Most recently, Nigel Lee followed a successful spell in charge of the men’s reserves, which culminated in them completing a League and Cup double, by becoming First Team Manager at the beginning of the 2001-02 season following Paul Hirons departure to Paulton Rovers.  Lee resigned in the close season, to be followed by Tony Cornelius, a second spell at the Crown Field for him having been in charge of the Under 18 squad previously.

1987 saw the introduction of a reserves side which is currently in the Somerset County League, who’s most recent notable success was winning the Somerset Senior Cup for the first time in 45 years by beating Westlands at Clevedon’s Hand Stadium in 2003.
 

Back Row L-R: Cliff Saunders, Denny Wheatley, Coleman, Denny Hughs, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown.
Front Row L-R: Braithwaite, Les Simpkins, Henry Kempster, Roy Neal, Jack Compton, Bert Simpkins.
Young boy in the forefront: Harry Kempster.

I
f you recognise any of the unknowns in the 
above picture then please tell the club as it 
would be nice to put a few names to the faces 
from the club's past.

 

In 1983 the ‘A’ Team was formed, currently playing in the Stone King Solicitors Bath & District League. A Youth Team was started in 1988 to compete in the Somerset Floodlight Youth League. A welcome addition has been the Junior Section, which is self-administrated, and which offers football to youngsters aged 9 to 16. 

In the club's drive to achieve FA Charter Status, Women’s Football has also taken off considerably in the last 10 years.  There is a similar progression of Junior to Senior status, with Under 12 and 14 age groups and First and Reserve teams who play on Sundays under Barrie Newton and Colin Sage respectively.  Most notable achievements to date include promotion to South-West Women’s Premier League, before narrowly missing out on second place last year, and celebrating their 10th Anniversary against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in front of a record 150 Crown Field attendance.

 

   
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