CLUB INFO/LINKS
Club History
MILDENHALL TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB – THE HISTORY
Mildenhall Town was formed in August 1898, and although club records are scarce, the club did win the Suffolk Junior Cup in 1900, defeating SOUTHWOLD RA Volunteers 4-0 in the final.
The club had to wait 93 years for their next county success, lifting the Cambs Junior Cup in 1993, and lifting the Cambs Invitation Cup in 1996.
The Club joined the Bury & District league in 1945, competing well in this league until joining the Cambs County League in 1969. After many successful years, the club joined the newly formed Jewson ECL Division 1 in 1988. After coming to terms with this higher level of football, the club attained promotion to the ECL Premier Division in 1999, under the guidance of joint managers Rob Steele for Steve O Donohue, and chairman Brian Brigden, finishing runners up to Clacton Town in 1999. The club also reached the Suffolk premier Cup Final in 2000 losing to Lowestoft Town.
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.
Mildenhall Town was formed in August 1898, and although club records are scarce, the club did win the Suffolk Junior Cup in 1900, defeating SOUTHWOLD RA Volunteers 4-0 in the final.
The club had to wait 93 years for their next county success, lifting the Cambs Junior Cup in 1993, and lifting the Cambs Invitation Cup in 1996.
The Club joined the Bury & District league in 1945, competing well in this league until joining the Cambs County League in 1969. After many successful years, the club joined the newly formed Jewson ECL Division 1 in 1988. After coming to terms with this higher level of football, the club attained promotion to the ECL Premier Division in 1999, under the guidance of joint managers Rob Steele for Steve O Donohue, and chairman Brian Brigden, finishing runners up to Clacton Town in 1999. The club also reached the Suffolk premier Cup Final in 2000 losing to Lowestoft Town.
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.
RSS Feeds