Detailed History

Pre-1914
The frist record of football taking place in Newton St Cyres was prior to the First World War in which matches took place on the site now known as Tytheing Close. These matches were likely to be inter-village events associated with the local school.

1919
By the end of the War the football pitch was moved to a new location at "Broad Marsh" (a field to the left of Creedy Bridge as you approach the railway station).

The name Newton St Cyres means "new farm or town" in Saxton times. St Cyres became an addition to the name in the 14th Century - the church being dedicated to St Julitta and St Cyr, her young son. The village received a mention in the Doomsday Book of 1086.

Late 1940's
Newton St Cyres Football Club moved to a new location in the late 1940's. The new site known as "Marles" (field on the right just before the River Creedy as you approach Creedy Bridge. The players used an old Nissan hut as their changing rooms.

Early 1960's
Another change of location, this time to Sandown Lane (near the entrance to Hayne Barton)

1971
After three long years of consultation and the sterling work of Harry Gliddon (Parish Councillor and Parish Clerk), the Church Commissioners finally agreed to lease the parish the present "Recreation Ground" which has been home to Newton St Cyres Football Club ever since. The ground was formerly opened by Councillors Charlie Hawkins. Harry Gliddon was later awarded an MBE for his services to the community.

The early 1970's provided Newton St Cyres with their first piece of silverware in the form of the Intermediate 1 Championship (West) in season 1972/73.
The following year the team followed it up further by winning the Intermediate League Cup Final in 1973/74. The team consisted of: Kelvyn Baker, Dave Newberry, Adrian Board, Peter Hardy, Ray Casling, Billy Hole, Brian Oram & Phillip. Ray Green, Jim Chambers, Joe Bussell, David Curtis, Bill Holt & Adrian Berry.
This was followed up the following year with the Senior 1a League Championship of 1974/75.

1980
The Recreation Ground was extended further to provide Newton St Cyres with a second football pitch.

In 1985 the Devon & Exeter League underwent a complete restructuring programme and it wasn't long after that Newton St Cyres produced, arguably, their most successful period in their history. Winning the Senior 1 League Championship in 1985/6 was only the beginning.

They followed this up with the Wheaton League Cup trophy in the same year. Promotion to the Premier League almost brought instant success as Newton St Cyres won the Harry Wood Cup in 1986/7 for being runners-up to champions Exeter City in the Premier Division.

The unthinkable happen in 1988/9 when Newton St Cyres won the Premier Division Championship for the first time in their history. The team included K Roberts. C Ormand, D Holman, S Guppy, K Pitman (Capt), D Seldon, P Greenslade, J Laskey, A Coles, S Tombs, A Harris, J Wheatley, G Kirk, J Board. Manager Bob Calderhead, assistant Rob England.

A successful year followed up with Newton St Cyres winning the Devon Premier Cup. They also won the East Devon Senior Cup. In total they won the East Devon Senior Cup 6 times: 1985/6, 1986/7, 1987/8, 1988/9, 1990/1 & 1993/4.

In 1988/9 Newton St Cyres reserves finishing runners-up in the Okehampton Cup with the winners being Newton St Cyres first team.

1990
New changing rooms were built by local people who volunteered their services for the good of the community.

In the 1990/1 season Newton St Cyres also added the Premier Division Cup to their trophy collection.

By 1992/93 Newton St Cyres had expanded significantly and ran 4 teams, the first team in the Devon County League, with the second and third teams in the Intermediate League Divisions. The fourth team being an Under 17's youth team. This coincided with Newton St Cyres Senior team becoming founder members of the Devon County League finishing in a commendable 5th place out of 16.

Newton St Cyres in the 21st century
In September 2001, Newton St Cyres were sponsored by Exsports who provided strips for the teams but which went unpaid. This resulted in a court case against Newton St Cyres on 31st January 2003 - the case was dismissed.

Through poor management and overspending, the club found itself in significant debts of around £5000 and was at a cross roads. Thanks to the commitment of individuals including Maurice Codd and Joyce Rook the club recovered from this position through fundraising and the holding of its annual youth football tournament.

In 2004/5 Newton St Cyres formed an under 8’s team managed by Mark Smith and Ian Fowlis. This was joined by a new under 8’s team in 2009 and an under 9’s in 2011.

In 2005, Newton St Cyres lost its former Chairman Kelvyn Baker. Kelvyn had acted as chairman and had played an important part of the clubs development, he was also a former player as was part of the team that won the Intermediate League Cup Final in 1973/74. Following his death in March, the Club renamed its annual youth football tournament in his honour.

Unfortunately, Newton St Cyres disbanded its 3rd team in 2000 after six years.

Newton St Cyres FC

1. 1st Team 2016/2017