2. Our History
The club was established in August 1898 and won the Suffolk Junior Cup in 1900, beating Southwold RA Volunteers 4–0.[2] After playing at a variety of grounds, following World War II the club moved to its current ground on Recreation Way, which they initially shared with the cricket club. In 1945 they joined the Bury and District League, where they played until 1969, when they switched to the Cambridgeshire League.
In 1975 the club reached the Premier Division. In 1988 they joined the newly formed Division One of the Eastern Counties League. The step up required the club to upgrade the ground's facilities – such as adding a covered stand, perimeter rails, hard standing, a new clubhouse, and floodlights – in order to satisy the league's requirements. The last of these upgrades was completed in time for the beginning of the 1994–95 season.
In 1992–93 the club's reserves, still playing in the Cambridgeshire League, won the Cambridgeshire Junior Cup. The following season the reserves won Creake Shield, and then went on to complete a league and cup double the season after that by again winning the Junior Cup and Division 1b. In 1996 the club's first team won the Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup in 1996. Three years later they finished second in the league, and were promoted to the Premier Division.
The club also underwent a major transformation during this period, brining the ground up to current standards, and building the excellent clubhouse whilst still retaining an enviable central location.
Steele was succeeded by Trevor Munns in 2001, leading to six years of consistently creditable finishing positions in the ECL PREMIER Division culminating in a superb 2nd spot in 2006/7, garnering a total of 97 points. Unfortunately Wroxham got 101 points! Hall again reached the Suffolk Premier Cup Final in 2003 where they lost to the very strong AFC Sudbury in the Ram Meadow Final. The club also had two excellent runs in the FA Vase, losing away to Hillingdon Borough in 2006 and away to Billingham Synthonia in 2007, both times reaching the last 16. The 2006 run included the defeat of then Vase holders Didcot Town in a replay at Recway in front of a club record 320 spectators, probably the finest night in the club’s history.
Current chairman Martin Tuck succeeded Brian Brigden in 2002, and he has led the club through a turbulent, although largely successful period. Munns resigned in November 2007 to be succeeded by local duo, Dave Pinkowski and Tony Lyes. The highlight of their reign was a 7-0 drubbing of Lowestoft Town, their heaviest league defeat in 50 years. Pinkowski and Lyes were followed by former Bolton Wanderers Premiership star Simon Charlton. Charlton had a very successful season in charge, culminating in a superb 3-1 victory over Wisbech Town in the Cambs Invitation Cup Final at the Abbey Stadium. Charlton left in 2010 to be replaced by ex Woodbridge boss, Christian Appleford. Christian, ably assisted by Tom Youngs led the team to immediate success, retaining the coveted Cambs invitation Cup, beating Haverhill Rovers 2-0 in the 2011 final, as well as attaining a highly creditable 5th place in the league.
Outstanding players in recent seasons include Mat Mitchel King, who after being sold by the Hall to Histon, progressed into the Football League playing for Crewe Alexandra, and more recently, AFC Wimbledon. Local legend John Sands took the Ridgeons League by storm during his time with the club, scoring a club record of 31 league goals in 20010/11, earning himself a transfer to Bury Town. Sands’ record only lasted one season however, as Andrew Wood won the coveted League Golden boot in 2011/12 scoring a club record of 33 league goals.
The club is still undergoing change. In recent seasons both the U18 and the reserve team have been disbanded. However, the club has re-established a very strong youth section, and struck strong links with local independent clubs Mildenhall High Town and Mildenhall Utd, which should be of great benefit moving into the future. Also, the club launched a redevelopment fund in November 2010, with the aim to improve further the facilities at Recway. The club has set an ambitious target of £25,000.
In 2016/17 season, the club achieved it's most successful season, gaining promotion to Step 4 of the National League pyramid, by securing the Thurlow Nunn League & Cup double.