CLUB HISTORY

In 2001/02, Friar Lane Old Boys were approached by Epworth FC as to the possibility of our 2 Clubs agreeing to a ground share. After numerous Meetings it was agreed that the 2 Clubs would ground share for 2 Seasons. This proposal was put to the Leicestershire Senior League and was thrown out by the League and Member Clubs at a stormy Meeting at Everards Headquarters, Leicester. So it was back to the drawing board, where the possibility of an amalgamation of the 2 Clubs was discussed and was agreed by Season 2003/04 when Epworthâ€™s Manger Malc Coles and First Team players joined Friar Lane Old Boys and finished 3rd in the Premier Division and won the Battle of Britain Cup, while Epworth carried on in Division 1 and finished a creditable 3rd.
2004/05 saw the amalgamation take place and Friar Lane and Epworth Football Club was formed. The First Team finished 9th in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division and won the L&RCFA Senior Cup beating local rivals Kirby Muxloe FC 3-2 aet. The Reserves were Leicestershire Combination Division 2 Champions losing 1 game to Anstey Town Res and failing to score 100 League goals by 1. They also won the L&RCFA Saturday Shield beating Desford FC 2-1 aet.
2005/2006 the First Team were the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division Champions & L&RCFA Senior Cup Finalists losing 1-0 to Thurnby Rangers. The Reserves finished 6th in the Leicestershire Combination Division 1. We were then invited to join the Midland Football Alliance League which at first we declined, but after weeks of hard work on improving our ground facilities we were invited to a meeting with the MFA at the Tamworth Services Station and we were accepted into the League
2006/2007 was our first in the Midland Football Alliance and after some frantic phone calling and emails our Reserves were accepted into the Midland Football Combination Reserve Division. Under first team manager Clem Dublin our First Team managed a creditable 15th after a tough baptism and our Reserves with Manager Garry Palfrey had a good Season securing Runners-up 2 points behind Hinckley United.
2007/2008 saw Alan Brett take over as First Team Manager and we finished 16th in the Midland Football Alliance, reached the 3rd Round of the FA Vase and the Final of the Westerby Cup which was played at the Walkers Stadium in front of a crowd of 600, sadly we lost 3-0 but it was a good day out. Our Reserves finished a creditable 7th in The Midland Football Combination Reserve Division an amazing performance as 14 of the previous seasons team left just before the Season started and our Under 18 players stepped in and performed admirably.
2008/2009 saw Manager Alan Brett having to step down as Manger due to work commitments; his replacement Steve Orme who with Jay Jenders and Alan Ward as coaches formed the new Management Team. We again finished 15th which was an excellent performance considering our problems before Christmas. Our Reserves rejoined the Senior League in Division 1 where we finished 4th and reached the Final of The League Cup losing 3-2 to Premier Division Champions Anstey Nomads.
2009/2010 our 1st Team finished 15th and our Reserves managed 6th in what was a difficult Season for both sides due to movement of players.
2010/2011 With Steve Orme Jay Jenders Alan Ward & Jamie Sharpe with the First Team and Garry Palfrey with the Reserves we are looking forward to a new challenge and a successful Season.

Friar Lane & Epworth FC

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