Hungerford Town F.C.


Hungerford Town Football Club is a football club based in Hungerford, Berkshire, England. Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association, they are currently members of and play at Bulpit Lane.

History

The club was established in 1886, initially playing friendlies as there were no local league or cup competitions. After two practice matches in October 1886, the first game against another club was played on 6 November, a 6–2 defeat to Earley. In 1904–05 they won their first honours, the Newbury Challenge Cup, by beating Newbury Union Jack 2–1 in the final. They won the trophy again in 1908–09 with a 2–1 win over Thatcham in the final. The club was now playing in the Hungerford League, but later joined the Newbury League. They won the Newbury League in 1912–13, retaining the title the following season. After World War I the club won the title again in 1919–20 and for a fourth time in 1921–22. They later joined the Swindon & District League.
In 1958 Hungerford moved up to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League. They finished bottom of the division in 1964–65, resulting in relegation to Division One. However, after winning the Division One title in 1970–71, they were promoted back to the Premier Division. In 1977–78 they won the Challenge Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, eventually losing 3–1 to Barton Rovers in a replay after the original two-legged tie had ended 3–3 on aggregate. Their cup exploits and a third-place finish that season was enough to earn promotion to Division Two of the Isthmian League.
In 1979–80 Hungerford reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 3–1 to Slough Town; they also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase again, this time losing 5–3 to Guisborough Town. The 1981–82 season saw them win the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, beating Wycombe Wanderers 1–0 in the final. League restructuring in 1984 led to the club being placed in Division Two South. Another FA Vase semi-final appearance in 1988–89 ended with a 6–0 defeat to Sudbury Town. Further league reorganisation in 1991 saw them return to Division Two. At the end of the 2002–03 season Hungerford finished fifth in Division Two of the Isthmian League, but dropped back into the Premier Division of the Hellenic League.
Hungerford won the Hellenic League's Supplementary Cup in 2004–05 and the Challenge Cup in 2006–07 and 2007–08. They were Premier Division champions in 2008–09, earning promotion to Division One South & West of the Southern League. A fifth-place finish in 2011–12 saw the club qualify for the promotion play-offs, losing 2–1 to Poole Town in the semi-finals. They were Division One South & West runners-up the following season, again qualifying for the play-offs; after beating Paulton Rovers 4–2 in the semi-finals, they defeated Merthyr Town 3–1 in the final to secure promotion to the Premier Division.
The 2014–15 season saw Hungerford finish fourth in the Premier Division. In the subsequent play-offs they lost 1–0 to Truro City in the semi-finals. However, after another fourth-place finish the following season, they defeated Hitchin Town 3–2 in the semi-finals before beating Leamington 2–1 in the final, earning promotion to the National League South.

Ground

The club initially played at Hungerford Marsh, before moving to Bulpit Lane. Floodlights were installed in 1975.. The ground currently has a capacity of 2,500, of which 170 is seated.

Current squad

Non-playing staff

As of 15 May 2020
PositionStaff
ManagerDanny Robinson
Assistant ManagerAndy Darnton
CoachKeith Pennicott-Bowen
Goalkeeper CoachIan Hobbs
PhysioRobyn Higgs
Kit ManSidney Webb, Christopher Hall

Honours