Skegness Town A.F.C.

Skegness Town Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Skegness, Lincolnshire, that competes in the Lincolnshire League.

History

The club was founded in January 1946, as successor to the town's two pre-war clubs Skegness United and Skegness Blue Rovers. The latter having one season in the Lincoln & District League (1937–38). After a season in the Boston & District League (using Wainfleet Road Recreation Ground) and then the East Lincs Combination (at the former ground of United in Richmond Drive), the club moved to Burgh Road to become a founder member of the Lincolnshire League in 1948.^[1] After two successful seasons in the Central Alliance (South), the club were,1960–61 apart, when the League was in abeyance, members of the Midland Counties League from 1958 to 1982, finishing as runners-up in 1978–79, missing out on the title on goal difference.^[2] The club had a season in its successor, the North Counties (East) League, before returning to the Lincolnshire League in 1983. During the 1977-78 pre-season, Skegness Town played a pre-season match against Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest and nine months later Forest became champions of England.

Until 1985 the club regularly entered the FA Cup but only once reached the First Round Proper, in 1955–56, when they were defeated 4–0 at home to Worksop Town.^[3] The club's last participation in the FA Cup was in 1985 and a 1st Qualifying Round trip to face local rivals Goole Town where they lost 3–2. Skegness Town entered the first ever FA Trophy competition in 1969–70 and competed until 1976–77 never getting past the qualifying rounds. They switched to the FA Vase, reaching the 4th round in 1978–79 where they lost to Shepshed Charterhouse and the 5th round in 1981–82, losing to Rainworth Miners Welfare.^[2] Changes in the ground grading regulations for national competitions ended the club's participation in 1990–91.

The club were champions of the Lincolnshire League in 2006–07 and 2007–08,^[4] thus winning their third and fourth county league titles. Shortly after the end of the 2007–08 season, manager Paul Walden resigned (to join Louth Town) and several players quit the club following a dispute with the club committee and "their failure to fulfil promises of progressing to a higher league".^[5]

Since the Lincolnshire FA restructured its cup competitions in 2006 the club compete in its Junior Cup losing the 2007–08 final on penalties. Previously, with some success, the club participated in the Senior 'B' Cup, becoming its first winners and adding a three further wins. For 1956–57 they were promoted to the Senior'A' Cup winning at their first attempt going on to six wins including a hat-trick between 1968 and 1971.

Notable players and managers

• George Raynor managed Skegness Town from 1958 to 1960 between spells as the national team manager for Sweden. He had previously been manager at Lazio.
• Teslim Balogun, Nigerian international signed from Peterborough United in 1956 for a brief spell before joining QPR.
• George Hutchinson, who played for Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur finished his career at Burgh Road.
• Peter Madden, League Cup finalist 1961 with Rotherham United. Finished his career at Skegness Town after signing from Aldershot in 1968.
• Calvin Palmer, started his career at Skegness Town in 1957. League Cup finalist 1964 with Stoke City.
• Ray Veall, started his career at Skegness Town in 1960 before winning the 1962–63 League Championship with Everton.
• Charlie Williams, the comedian finished his football career at Skegness after retiring from Doncaster Rovers in 1959.^[6]
• Terry Webster (GK), who played in Derby County's Division Three (N) title winning team 1956-7, was signed by George Raynor for Skegness Town in June 1958.<George Raynor: The Greatest Coach England Never Had, Ashley Hyne, The History Press, 2014>

Honours

• Lincolnshire League champions: 1951–52, 1955–56 2006–07 & 2007–08, 2013–14, 2015–16
• Lincolnshire Football League Cup 1951–52 1953–54
• Central Alliance (South) champions: 1956–57, 1957–58 & 1960–61
• Lincolnshire FA Senior 'B' Cup winners: 1949–50, 1950–51, 1952–53, & 1955–56
• Lincolnshire FA Senior 'A' Cup winners: 1956–57 1959–60, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71 & 1974–75

Records

• FA Cup
  • First round 1955–56
• FA Trophy
  • Second qualifying round 1969–70, 1974–75
• FA Vase
  • Fifth round 1981–82

References

External links

• Feature on Enfield Town FC unofficial Website/Blog

Coordinates: 53°09′05″N 0°19′57″E / 53.15134°N 0.33245°E / 53.15134; 0.33245