AWFC History 2011-12 Update
The club was formed in 1926 as part of the Colliery Social Welfare scheme. Throughout its years, it achieved varied but limited success before disbandment in 1974. The lack of senior football in the village was soon recognised, and the club was reformed in 1976 when they registered in the Doncaster Senior League Division Three.
It wasn't long before honours were arriving, starting with the Senior League Championship in 1978/79 season. The following years brought further success by way of the Second Division Championship (1979/80), then the First Division Championship in the 1981/82 season, when they also lifted the West Riding Challenge Cup. Welfare also won the Doncaster Senior League Cup in the 1979/80 season and retained it for the following three seasons.
The 1982/83 season proved to be the most productive season as this included the Doncaster Senior League Championship, the West Riding Challenge Cup, the Goole and Thorne District FA Challenge Cup and the Doncaster Senior League Cup. The reserve team also lifted the Doncaster and District Challenge Trophy.
The following season saw Welfare join the Northern Counties East League in the Northern Second Division. They finished runners-up, which was enough to gain promotion to the Central Division One. Once again, they were promoted at the first time of asking by topping the division in 84/85. It was this year where the goal scoring talents of Martin Johnson; the former Boston FC striker, and Peter Camm saw them score 42 goals between them.
Since the glory days of the early 80's, Welfare have maintained their place in the Northern Counties East Premier Division since 1985, but has not lifted any silverware in that time. They came close in 2007/08 when they were reached the Presidents Cup Final, but were beaten 4-2 (AET) by Liversedge.
The 2009/2010 season was their most successful of recent times, and if not for a late drop in form, could have gained promotion to the Unibond (now Evo-Stik) First Division. They still managed their highest point's haul (79) to finish third, and reached the fourth round of the FA Vase where Wroxham beat them on penalties in the replay. Welfare also reached the League Cup Final, but finished runner-up to Dinnington Town.
Unfortunately, Welfare couldn't carry their recent success into last season. Despite a core of long serving Welfare players, others left, and new faces were brought in to replace them. The first half of the season was difficult as the players tried to gel, and form did improve through the second half of the season to end with a 13th place finish. 17 different players played in defence throughout the season, with more than 50 signed on in total meaning stability was going to be an issue.
Welfare's most high profile signing has been former Doncaster Rovers, Cardiff City and Rotherham professional Leo Fortune-West, who contributed 7 goals in 13 appearances last season.
The ground at Church Street has a capacity of 2,500, and it held close to that in 1986 when facing Doncaster Rovers in a charity match.
It wasn't long before honours were arriving, starting with the Senior League Championship in 1978/79 season. The following years brought further success by way of the Second Division Championship (1979/80), then the First Division Championship in the 1981/82 season, when they also lifted the West Riding Challenge Cup. Welfare also won the Doncaster Senior League Cup in the 1979/80 season and retained it for the following three seasons.
The 1982/83 season proved to be the most productive season as this included the Doncaster Senior League Championship, the West Riding Challenge Cup, the Goole and Thorne District FA Challenge Cup and the Doncaster Senior League Cup. The reserve team also lifted the Doncaster and District Challenge Trophy.
The following season saw Welfare join the Northern Counties East League in the Northern Second Division. They finished runners-up, which was enough to gain promotion to the Central Division One. Once again, they were promoted at the first time of asking by topping the division in 84/85. It was this year where the goal scoring talents of Martin Johnson; the former Boston FC striker, and Peter Camm saw them score 42 goals between them.
Since the glory days of the early 80's, Welfare have maintained their place in the Northern Counties East Premier Division since 1985, but has not lifted any silverware in that time. They came close in 2007/08 when they were reached the Presidents Cup Final, but were beaten 4-2 (AET) by Liversedge.
The 2009/2010 season was their most successful of recent times, and if not for a late drop in form, could have gained promotion to the Unibond (now Evo-Stik) First Division. They still managed their highest point's haul (79) to finish third, and reached the fourth round of the FA Vase where Wroxham beat them on penalties in the replay. Welfare also reached the League Cup Final, but finished runner-up to Dinnington Town.
Unfortunately, Welfare couldn't carry their recent success into last season. Despite a core of long serving Welfare players, others left, and new faces were brought in to replace them. The first half of the season was difficult as the players tried to gel, and form did improve through the second half of the season to end with a 13th place finish. 17 different players played in defence throughout the season, with more than 50 signed on in total meaning stability was going to be an issue.
Welfare's most high profile signing has been former Doncaster Rovers, Cardiff City and Rotherham professional Leo Fortune-West, who contributed 7 goals in 13 appearances last season.
The ground at Church Street has a capacity of 2,500, and it held close to that in 1986 when facing Doncaster Rovers in a charity match.
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