Brockenhurst Football Club our history
The club was founded in 1898 initially playing close to the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive. The Badgers were founder members of the New Forest league which they won a number of times. They moved before the first World War to a site between the Rose and Crown and Snakecatcher pubs. Following the war the club played in both the Bournemouth and Hampshire leagues, moving to Fathersfield. In 1931 they were forced to move again to Black Knoll when Fathersfield was given over to housing. In 1935 the club won the New Forest Lads Cup. Within two years the Badgers moved to Oberfield and after the Second World war they spent some seasons at Tile Barn before moving to their current home at Grigg Lane in 1951.
The club were crowned Hampshire League Division Three champions in 1960 as well as winning the Bournemouth Seniors cup. They moved between the Second and Third divisions until in 1971 they were promoted to Division One where they won the league title in the 1975-76 season. Brockenhurst were founder members of the Wessex League joining in 1986. The club’s FA Cup giant killing reached its pinnacle in season 2001/02 when Kingstonian were defeated and in season 2004/05 the club reached the 3rd qualifying round, the run ending in defeat to Bath City.
In season 2012/13 the club returned to the Wessex Premier League as Division One champions and reached the final of both the Southampton DFA Senior Cup and the Wessex league Cup though unfortunately were beaten in both. In recent years the Club has been led by Manager Pat McManus who has just started his 9th Season at the helm as Manager, whilst rebuilding the Club with a good youth structure in place. During Pat’s time in charge the Club has gone from strength to strength off the field with Chairmen Dave Stansbridge, Stan Reid & Ian Allan & the Club Committee leading the Club well.
During the past two Covid hit Seasons we have had some success, In the 19/20 Season we won the Bournemouth Senior Cup and last Season 20/21 we won the Hampshire FA Invitation Trophy as well as both our U18 & U17 Teams winning their Divisions.
In 2021/22 heralded a very successful season, with the club finishing 6th in the Premier Division, getting to the last 16 in the FA Vase and winning the Russell-Cotes Cup.
Last season 2022/23 was not quite so successful, with an appallingly unlucky run of injuries, but most of those injured players are now back to full fitness and we have made some great signings ahead of this, our 125th Season. The future looks bright for The Badgers.
