A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE

HAVANT TOWN FC

Havant Town was originally formed in 1883 and, from 1983, played at West Leigh Park until being dissolved in 1998 to merge with Waterlooville FC, both in the Southern League at the time and now called Havant & Waterlooville FC. Waterlooville FC played their matches at Jubilee Park which became residential housing with the merged club playing at West Leigh Park.

From 1958-1971 they competed in the Portsmouth League and joined the Hampshire League as Havant & Leigh Park in 1971 winning Division 4 then Division 3 in 1972-73, Runners Up to Winchester City in 1973-74 and 11th in their first Division One season, dropping the Leigh Park in 1975-76. Their previous ground from 1958-1983 was Front Lawn which is now a Community Hub managed by the Hampshire FC.

The Match Programme shown is for Havant Town in their final season in the Hampshire League, 1985-86 and was in fact also the final one for that League in its old form of whom the top clubs became founder members of the Wessex League in 1986-87. The game was v Sholing Sports on 11th January 1986 in the Fourth Round of whom the editor stated they were “ not the force of the last few years” and indeed that proved to be so as the significance of the match is a 10-0 victory for Havant, one of only three times they achieved this club record score. The attendance was 106. The editorial also announced that the club had, that week, agreed to join the new Wessex League. The previous week had seen a 3-2 League victory over Eastleigh and East Cowes Victoria led the table from AFC Totton with Havant Town in fourth place with still half a season to go. As it happens the top two places did not change but Horndean ended third and Havant Town fourth.

When the Wessex League was formed, the Hampshire League along with Dorset and Wiltshire became feeders.

This was also the best run they had in the F A Vase beating Buckingham Town in Round Five and reaching Round Six before beaten by Wisbech Town. They were the last Hampshire side left in the competition, won eventually by Halesowen Town. Havant’s journey to this round had seen them beat Greenwich, Horley, Herne Bay, Merstham and AFC Totton whilst Sholing had three victories under their belt so it was an impressive win.