A COLDEN COMMON HISTORY

While season 2003/04 will long be remembered as our most successful yet (1st Team and Reserves each achieving a league & cup double); the two following have proven remarkable. Season 2004/05 saw us compete at Sydenhams Wessex League level for the first time. We started poorly and saw the manager leave midway through but, with Nigel Lights guidance, and Dean Higgins respected leadership, we ultimately won the inaugural Division 3 Championship! Then, last season we repeated our 2003/04 Hampshire Intermediate Cup success, beating West Wight 2-1 (Rich Lang & Dean Higgins).

Seeds sown in the late 19th Century were replanted in 1956 ~ with the Banford family (a name synonymous with the club) much to the fore ~ and they have blossomed over the last 20-odd years. Although founded as a Saturday club, CCFC has cause to thank their Sunday wing which provided the foundation for a remarkable rise through the leagues during the late 1980s early 1990s.

Competing within the Eastleigh and Southampton Football Leagues honours were sparse with just the Eastleigh Benevolent Cup and Southampton Junior Division 4 title jostling for space in the trophy cabinet! However, the decision to field a Sunday side ~ 1973 to 1983 ~ eventually provided glorious repercussions. An incredible haul of 24 Sunday league and cup trophys came under the expert managerial guidance of Ron Shaw and Mick Geddes before The force switched to CCFC Saturday football and rapid progression followed. Our journey from Soton Junior League Division Two to Hampshire League Division 1 took just six years guided by Ron Shaw, Chris and Ray Light, Rocky Garrett and Ken Brady (amongst others).

Keith Tollervey and Dave Hadfield led Common to its first Hampshire League championship, with Andy Long as captain, in 1991/92. A second title followed in 1995/96 (Steve Franklin & Barry Cox), sandwiching our 93/94 Southampton Senior Cup success.

Dave Hadfield and Keith Dumper preceded Steve Muddy Waters who took the helm and elusive success was registered again, the Andover Senior Cup in 2003. Dave Riddell took Muddys squad to 2003/04 glory but he left midway through 2004/05.

Meanwhile, having moved into Hampshire League (Combination) football Common Reserves took up the initiative shown by our 1st Team as, under successive managers ~ Kevin Dixon, Barry Cox, Tony Mucci, Steve Waters, Paul Allen and Elliott Costick, ~ we secured four Hampshire Combination Titles and the Trophyman Hampshire League Combination Cup twice in the period 1998 - 2004. Last term our Reserves reach the Final of the North Hants Senior Cup (term a club first) before Andover prevailed.

This season Paul Gilbert steps into the Reserve team managerial breach

Having enjoyed success and progression from previous Youth initiatives Colden Common FC has, again through its Under 16 and 18 sides - profited in the form of excellent players coming through the ranks to boost still further an excellent senior squad. Meanwhile Common Veterans continue to show The Club in the right light while gathering more and more members as the years go by.

Our home ground (lovingly tended by Eric Laversuch and his band) is the envy of most so it will be a wrench when we have to leave to progress.

Any small club needs a sound back-room and we are indeed fortunate to have an outstanding committee and loyal sponsors ~ H.J.DUNFORD & SON (Motors) LTD in particular ~ as well as many players who show CCFC the commitment and loyalty much respected around the County.Behind the scenes the likes of Jack and Cliff Banford, Eric Laversuch, Janet Lissenden, Ian Sreele, to name but a few, have all given, or still give, tirelessly to The Common Cause to help make The Friendly Club, Colden Common FC,.A Grande Olde Team to Play for..

Colden Common Football Club

Saturday Football Roll of Honour

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Division 3 2004/05

HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Division 1 1991/92, 1995/96, 2003/04

Promoted to Division 1 1986/87

Promoted to Division 2 1985/86

Elected to Division 3 1984/85

CHAMPIONS Comb Div 1 1999/01, 2000/01 & 2003/04

CHAMPIONS Comb Division 1998/99

TROPHYMAN LEAGUE CUP Runners-Up 1994/95

TROPHYMAN COMBINATION CUP WINNERS 2001/02, 2003/04

SOTON SENIOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Division 1 1981/82

CHAMPIONS Division 2 1980/81

Runners-Up Division 1 1990/91

SOTON JUNIOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Division 1 1979/80

Runners-Up Division 1 1977/78

CHAMPIONS Division 4 1965/66

SOUTHAMPTON FA CHAMPIONS Veterans B Division 2001/02

HAMPSHIRE INTERMEDIATE CUP WINNERS 2003/04, 2005/06

HAMPSHIRE JUNIOR A CUP WINNERS 1979/80

SOTON SENIOR CUP WINNERS 1993/94

Runners-Up 1987/88

NORTH HANTS SENIOR CUP Runners-Up 2005/06

ANDOVER SENIOR TROPHY WINNERS 2002/03

SOTON JUNIOR A CUP WINNERS 1979/80

EASTLEIGH BENEVOLENT CUP WINNERS 1979/80

WINNERS 1964/65, EASTLEIGH WEEKLY NEWS CUP > Runners-Up 1971/72 & 1979/80

SOUTHAMPTON REFEREES SOC Friendliest Club Award 1996/97

WIRRALL PRGRAMME AWARDS

Best Programme In Hants League

1988/89 1989/90; 1990/91; 1991/92; 1992/93; 1993/94; 1994/95; 1995/96; 2002/03

Best Reserve Programme (National)

1989/90, 1990/91; 1991/92; 1992/93; 1993/94; 1996/97; 1997/98; 1999/00; 2000/01;2001/02 2002/03; 2003/04; 2004/05