A.F.C. Aldermaston
Encyclopedia
A.F.C. Aldermaston is a non-league
English association football
club based in Aldermaston
, Berkshire. The team's motto, Facta Non Verba, comes from a Latin phrase meaning "deeds, not words".
The club has played at AWE Aldermaston
(on the Hampshire-Berkshire border) since its establishment in 1952. They will begin the 2011–12 season in the Hampshire Premier League
, having been relegated from the Wessex League
Division One at the end of the 2009–10 season.
In 2010, the club lost 40 consecutive games, which led to news reports proclaiming them the "worst English football team in history". The news was carried in publications including The Independent
, The Daily Telegraph
, The Daily Mail, the Zimbabwe Independent
, and UEFA
.
, Ted Hall, Gordon Carter, and Don Sharp. The team – then known as AWRE Football Club – were nicknamed "The Atom Men" after the newly founded Atomic Weapons Research Establishment.
As the AWRE complex was still under construction when the team was established, the players used empty contractors' huts as changing rooms – carrying the tin bath into whichever building was designated for that day's football. The players were also responsible for the pitch, and would mow and mark out the pitch before the match started.
The club received support from William Penney
during his work at AWRE on the Operation Hurricane
project.
In the 1970s, Aldermaston moved from the Reading & District League
to the Hellenic Football League
Division One – spending seven seasons in that league. From 1986 until 1991, the club played in local football football leagues, including the North Hampshire League
. For the 1991–92 season, Aldermaston joined the Hampshire League
Third Division, finishing fifth in their first season. The team spent one season in the second division, before returning to the third division for the rest of the 1990s. Upon reorganisation of the Hampshire League for the 1999–00 season, Aldermaston were placed in the premier division – effectively being promoted two divisions.
which they remained part of until 2010. The club and will begin the 2010/11 season in the Hampshire Premier League
, having finished the 2009/10 season in 21st (bottom) place.
in Aldermaston, having been founded shortly after the complex's establishment.
Until 1990, the society's Head Groundsman was Eddie Seaward. After leaving Aldermaston, Seaward became Head Groundsman at Wimbledon's All England Lawn Tennis Club, and received an MBE
in 2007 for services to sport.
es, squash courts, and a gym
nasium.
, where Aldermaston lost 2–0. Aldermaston had, until the 86th minute, been drawing 0–0. They were also "down to 10 men". Chairman Damion Bone stated that he believed that the poor performance over the season was due to players' commitments. The team had lost 10 players to Tadley Calleva before the start of the 2009/2010 season.
On 13 March 2010, Aldermaston had almost broken their losing streak – also playing against Downton. The final score was 2–1; Aldermaston's last-minute equaliser was disallowed. Had they drawn, they would have equalled the Stockport/Poole record of 39 consecutive losses.
The previous record (of 39 straight losses) was held jointly by Stockport United and Poole Town
. Bone stated that the team hadn't sacked the manager, Carl Griffifths, as "he stepped down just after Christmas". Griffifths left the club after the team lost 2–1 to Stockbridge
on 20 March 2010, citing work-related commitments. Adie Heath, the manager of the reserve team
, was announced as caretaker-manager.
The team broke their losing streak on 10 April 2010 by drawing 1–1 at home against Warminster Town
, and won the following game 2–1 against Petersfield Town.
Source:
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
English association football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
club based in Aldermaston
Aldermaston
Aldermaston is a rural village, civil parish and electoral ward in Berkshire, South-East England. In the 2001 United Kingdom Census, the parish had a population of 927. The village is on the southern edge of the River Kennet flood plain, near the Hampshire county boundary...
, Berkshire. The team's motto, Facta Non Verba, comes from a Latin phrase meaning "deeds, not words".
The club has played at AWE Aldermaston
Atomic Weapons Establishment
The Atomic Weapons Establishment is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of warheads for the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. AWE plc is responsible for the day-to-day operations of AWE...
(on the Hampshire-Berkshire border) since its establishment in 1952. They will begin the 2011–12 season in the Hampshire Premier League
Hampshire Premier Football League
The Hampshire Premier Football League is a football competition based in Hampshire, England. The league was formed in 2007 and currently consists of a 'Senior Division' of 18 teams, most of which were previously members of the disbanded Division 2 of the Wessex League and a 'Combination Division'...
, having been relegated from the Wessex League
Wessex League
The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system...
Division One at the end of the 2009–10 season.
In 2010, the club lost 40 consecutive games, which led to news reports proclaiming them the "worst English football team in history". The news was carried in publications including The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, The Daily Mail, the Zimbabwe Independent
Zimbabwe Independent
Zimbabwe Independent is a private weekly published from Harare, Zimbabwe, by Alpha Media Holdings. The company also publishes The Standard and NewsDay.-External links:**...
, and UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
.
Foundation
A.F.C. Aldermaston was founded in 1952 by Charles Green BEMBritish Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
, Ted Hall, Gordon Carter, and Don Sharp. The team – then known as AWRE Football Club – were nicknamed "The Atom Men" after the newly founded Atomic Weapons Research Establishment.
As the AWRE complex was still under construction when the team was established, the players used empty contractors' huts as changing rooms – carrying the tin bath into whichever building was designated for that day's football. The players were also responsible for the pitch, and would mow and mark out the pitch before the match started.
The club received support from William Penney
William Penney, Baron Penney
William George Penney, Baron Penney OM, KBE PhD, DSc, , FRS, FRSE, FIC, Hon FCGI was a British mathematician who was responsible for the development of British nuclear technology, following World War II...
during his work at AWRE on the Operation Hurricane
Operation Hurricane
Operation Hurricane was the test of the first British atomic device on 3 October 1952. A plutonium implosion device was detonated in the lagoon between the Montebello Islands, Western Australia....
project.
Football league
In the late 1960s/early 1970s, the club was asked to change the name to "AFC Aldermaston" – which, when fully abbreviated, caused confusion over whether the "A" stood for "Aldermaston" or "Association".In the 1970s, Aldermaston moved from the Reading & District League
Reading Football League
The Reading Football League is a football competition based in England. It has a total of six divisions – the Senior Division, the Premier Division, then Divisions One to Four....
to the Hellenic Football League
Hellenic Football League
The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league...
Division One – spending seven seasons in that league. From 1986 until 1991, the club played in local football football leagues, including the North Hampshire League
North Hants League
The North Hants Senior League was a football competition based in England. Founded in 1969, it was for the majority of existence a single division competition that fed into the Hampshire League. In turn, it was fed by the Andover and District League, the Winchester and District League, and the...
. For the 1991–92 season, Aldermaston joined the Hampshire League
Hampshire League
Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or...
Third Division, finishing fifth in their first season. The team spent one season in the second division, before returning to the third division for the rest of the 1990s. Upon reorganisation of the Hampshire League for the 1999–00 season, Aldermaston were placed in the premier division – effectively being promoted two divisions.
Wessex League
When the Hampshire and Wessex Leagues merged in 2004, Aldermaston became members of the Wessex LeagueWessex League
The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system...
which they remained part of until 2010. The club and will begin the 2010/11 season in the Hampshire Premier League
Hampshire Premier Football League
The Hampshire Premier Football League is a football competition based in Hampshire, England. The league was formed in 2007 and currently consists of a 'Senior Division' of 18 teams, most of which were previously members of the disbanded Division 2 of the Wessex League and a 'Combination Division'...
, having finished the 2009/10 season in 21st (bottom) place.
Ground
A.F.C. Aldermaston play at the Recreational Society (commonly abbreviated to "Rec Soc") at the Atomic Weapons EstablishmentAtomic Weapons Establishment
The Atomic Weapons Establishment is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of warheads for the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. AWE plc is responsible for the day-to-day operations of AWE...
in Aldermaston, having been founded shortly after the complex's establishment.
Until 1990, the society's Head Groundsman was Eddie Seaward. After leaving Aldermaston, Seaward became Head Groundsman at Wimbledon's All England Lawn Tennis Club, and received an MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
in 2007 for services to sport.
Facilities
Facilities at the Rec Soc include railings, training facilities, floodlights, a club shop and a clubhouse. There are also non-football facilities, including cricket pitchCricket pitch
In the game of cricket, the cricket pitch consists of the central strip of the cricket field between the wickets - 1 chain or 22 yards long and 10 feet wide. The surface is very flat and normally covered with extremely short grass though this grass is soon removed by wear at the ends of the...
es, squash courts, and a gym
Gym
The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, that mean a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
nasium.
Attendance
The club's average home attendance for the 2009–10 season is 25. The record home attendance is 150.2010: 40 consecutive defeats
On 8 April 2010, Aldermaston became the "worst English football team in history" by losing 40 consecutive games. The 40th loss was against DowntonDownton F.C.
Downton F.C. is a football club based in Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. It was established in 1905 and joined the Wessex League in 1993. It has reached the first round of the FA Vase twice in its history. It has reached the first round qualifying of the FA Cup in season 2008–09. It...
, where Aldermaston lost 2–0. Aldermaston had, until the 86th minute, been drawing 0–0. They were also "down to 10 men". Chairman Damion Bone stated that he believed that the poor performance over the season was due to players' commitments. The team had lost 10 players to Tadley Calleva before the start of the 2009/2010 season.
On 13 March 2010, Aldermaston had almost broken their losing streak – also playing against Downton. The final score was 2–1; Aldermaston's last-minute equaliser was disallowed. Had they drawn, they would have equalled the Stockport/Poole record of 39 consecutive losses.
The previous record (of 39 straight losses) was held jointly by Stockport United and Poole Town
Poole Town F.C.
Poole Town F.C. is a football club based in Poole, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Western League Division Two in 1930. They won the Western League title in 1957 and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup four times in their history. They are currently members of the...
. Bone stated that the team hadn't sacked the manager, Carl Griffifths, as "he stepped down just after Christmas". Griffifths left the club after the team lost 2–1 to Stockbridge
Stockbridge, Hampshire
Stockbridge is a small town and civil parish in Hampshire, England. It has an acreage of and a population of little under 600 people according to the 2001 census in Hampshire, England. It lies on the River Test, in the Test Valley district and renowned for trout fishing. The A30 road goes through...
on 20 March 2010, citing work-related commitments. Adie Heath, the manager of the reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
, was announced as caretaker-manager.
The team broke their losing streak on 10 April 2010 by drawing 1–1 at home against Warminster Town
Warminster
Warminster is a town in western Wiltshire, England, by-passed by the A36, and near Frome and Westbury. It has a population of about 17,000. The River Were runs through the town and can be seen running through the middle of the town park. The Minster Church of St Denys sits on the River Were...
, and won the following game 2–1 against Petersfield Town.
Season-by-season record since 1979
| Season | Division | Position | Significant Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joined Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
|||
| 1979–80 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
7 | |
| 1980–81 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
12 | |
| 1981–82 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
15 | |
| 1982–83 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
15 | |
| 1983–84 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
13 | |
| 1984–85 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
13 | |
| 1985–86 | Hellenic League Hellenic Football League The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league... Division One |
16 | |
| A.F.C Aldermaston left Hellenic League | |||
| 1986–1991 | A.F.C. Aldermaston played in local football, mainly the North Hampshire League | ||
| A.F.C Aldermaston joined Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
|||
| 1991–92 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
4 | Promoted |
| 1992–93 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Two |
17 | Relegated |
| 1993–94 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
9 | |
| 1994–95 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
18 | |
| 1995–96 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
10 | |
| 1996–97 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
15 | |
| 1997–98 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
11 | |
| 1998–99 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Division Three |
15 | |
| Placed in Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Premier Division upon league re-organisation |
|||
| 1999-00 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Premier Division |
21 | |
| 2000–01 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Premier Division |
21 | |
| 2001–02 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Premier Division |
21 | |
| 2002–03 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Premier Division |
20 | |
| 2003–04 | Hampshire League Hampshire League Hampshire League is a name used for two distinct football competitions based in Hampshire, England. There are two leagues; Hampshire Premier Football League named 'Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier Football League' for sponsor purposes and the division below which is the Hampshire League 2004 or... Premier Division |
17 | |
| Placed in Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division Two upon its formation |
|||
| 2004–05 | Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division Two |
22 | Relegated |
| 2005–06 | Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division Three |
9 | |
| Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division Three renamed Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division Two |
|||
| 2006–07 | Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division Two |
13 | |
| Placed in Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division One upon league re-organisation |
|||
| 2007–08 | Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division One |
21 | |
| 2008–09 | Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division One |
14 | |
| 2009–10 | Wessex League Wessex League The Wessex League is an English association football league formed in 1986, with its premier division currently at the fifth step of the National League System, or the ninth tier of the overall English football league system... Division One |
21 | Relegated |
| 2010–11 | Hampshire Premier League Hampshire Premier Football League The Hampshire Premier Football League is a football competition based in Hampshire, England. The league was formed in 2007 and currently consists of a 'Senior Division' of 18 teams, most of which were previously members of the disbanded Division 2 of the Wessex League and a 'Combination Division'... |
15 | |
| 2011–12 | Hampshire Premier League Hampshire Premier Football League The Hampshire Premier Football League is a football competition based in Hampshire, England. The league was formed in 2007 and currently consists of a 'Senior Division' of 18 teams, most of which were previously members of the disbanded Division 2 of the Wessex League and a 'Combination Division'... |
||
Source:
Current squad
- Adam Griffiths
- Andrew Goodwin
- Ashley Elward
- Benjamin Brown
- Benjamin Smith
- Christopher Partridge
- Dan Heath
- Daryll Phillips
- Jake Hatt
- James Pearce
- Lee Partridge
- Lee Wheeler
- Liam Smith
- Luke Walden
- Matthew Tyler
- Matthew Wilkins
- Owen Hughes
- Paul Grundey
- Richard Desay
- Ricky Rogers
- Robert Jackson
- Samuel Ampleford