History
Following WW2 the ground of Midhurst FC was taken to build new school premises, whilst Easebourne FC had lost several key officials and players during the war. The decision was therefore taken to amalgamate the two rival clubs as Midhurst & Easebourne United FC, and play at Easebournes Rotherfield ground.
After their application to join the Sussex County League was rejected in 1980, the club was accepted the following year, and immediately won promotion to Division One after finishing as runners-up to Wick. However, after struggling for five seasons during which their highest position was 12th, the club was relegated back to Division Two at the end of the 1986/87 season. In 1991/92 they won promotion back to Division One, but this only lasted for one season before they were relegated once again.
A futher relegation followed and the club found itself in Division Three at the start of the 1994/95 season, at the end of which they finished as champions. In 1997/98 however they were relegated once again back to Division Three, and worse was to follow in 1998/99 when they were relegated to the West Sussex League.
At the end of the 2001/02 season, the club was accepted back into the Sussex County League after winning the West Sussex League Premier Division. Midhursts position back in the County League was more than consolidated in 2002/03 when they took not only the Division Three title, but also the Division Three Challenge Cup, beating holders Crowborough Athletic in the Final.
Fortunately, despite some concerns that it would not meet grading requirements, Rotherfield passed an inspection and Midhurst duly took their place back in Division Two, finishing in a very creditable sixth position in 2003/04. A mid-table position followed in 2004/05 but Midhurst reached the Final of the Division Two Challenge Cup, losing 0-3 to Wealden; and also the Semi-Finals of the RUR Charity Cup, where they went down by the same scoreline to Chichester City United.
Season 2005/06 proved to be something of a disaster, as the club finished in a relegation position but were spared the drop back into Intermediate football as a consequence of promotions and relegations in the other divisions, and the need to maintain 18 clubs in Division Two. Despite this Midhurst still managed the second best average gate in the Division, with only promoted Selsey faring better.
With the exception of East Grinstead Town, Midhurst continued to be the best supported club in Division Two during 2006/07. This time results on the pitch were better, following the arrival of former Chichester City striker Dave Kelly who had been managing Chi reserves. The club eventually finished 7th, having looked like promotion candidates at one point. However, without floodlights they would have been unable to take their place in the top Division on this occasion.
2007 to 2010 saw the club struggle on the field and indeed the club only escaped relegation to Division 3 in 2010, by a technicality. This has given Chairman, Darren Chiverton and new Manager Trevor Waller, the impetus to put a small but capable squad together who all hope to achiev great things in the coming season, both on and off the field.
(courtesy of Nomad - http://www.nomad-online.co.uk )
After their application to join the Sussex County League was rejected in 1980, the club was accepted the following year, and immediately won promotion to Division One after finishing as runners-up to Wick. However, after struggling for five seasons during which their highest position was 12th, the club was relegated back to Division Two at the end of the 1986/87 season. In 1991/92 they won promotion back to Division One, but this only lasted for one season before they were relegated once again.
A futher relegation followed and the club found itself in Division Three at the start of the 1994/95 season, at the end of which they finished as champions. In 1997/98 however they were relegated once again back to Division Three, and worse was to follow in 1998/99 when they were relegated to the West Sussex League.
At the end of the 2001/02 season, the club was accepted back into the Sussex County League after winning the West Sussex League Premier Division. Midhursts position back in the County League was more than consolidated in 2002/03 when they took not only the Division Three title, but also the Division Three Challenge Cup, beating holders Crowborough Athletic in the Final.
Fortunately, despite some concerns that it would not meet grading requirements, Rotherfield passed an inspection and Midhurst duly took their place back in Division Two, finishing in a very creditable sixth position in 2003/04. A mid-table position followed in 2004/05 but Midhurst reached the Final of the Division Two Challenge Cup, losing 0-3 to Wealden; and also the Semi-Finals of the RUR Charity Cup, where they went down by the same scoreline to Chichester City United.
Season 2005/06 proved to be something of a disaster, as the club finished in a relegation position but were spared the drop back into Intermediate football as a consequence of promotions and relegations in the other divisions, and the need to maintain 18 clubs in Division Two. Despite this Midhurst still managed the second best average gate in the Division, with only promoted Selsey faring better.
With the exception of East Grinstead Town, Midhurst continued to be the best supported club in Division Two during 2006/07. This time results on the pitch were better, following the arrival of former Chichester City striker Dave Kelly who had been managing Chi reserves. The club eventually finished 7th, having looked like promotion candidates at one point. However, without floodlights they would have been unable to take their place in the top Division on this occasion.
2007 to 2010 saw the club struggle on the field and indeed the club only escaped relegation to Division 3 in 2010, by a technicality. This has given Chairman, Darren Chiverton and new Manager Trevor Waller, the impetus to put a small but capable squad together who all hope to achiev great things in the coming season, both on and off the field.
(courtesy of Nomad - http://www.nomad-online.co.uk )
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