Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic F.C.

Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic
Full nameBournemouth Gasworks Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s)Gasmen, The Lights
Founded1899
Dissolved1972
GroundAlder Road, Branksome, Poole

Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic F.C. was an English amateur football club from Poole, Dorset, who were successful in both county and national competitions until they became defunct in 1972.

History

Founded in 1899 as the Bournemouth Gas & Water Co works side[1] and joined the Hampshire League West Division in 1904. In 1921 Bournemouth Gasworks were placed in the County Division (later to become Division One) and this marked the start of a very successful period for 'the Lights' as they were crowned champions in 1922–23. The club added the Athletic suffix to their name at this time. [2]

The early thirties saw the side record some fine runs in the FA Amateur Cup,[3] most notably in 1929–30 when they reached the final, which was played at West Ham United's Upton Park stadium where a crowd of 21,800 saw them hold Ilford 1–1 at the break before they eventually lost by a 1–5 scoreline.[4] In 1932–33 they reached the Semi-Finals but were narrowly beaten 1–2 by Stockton.[5]

The Gasworks remained a strong force in county football and were Hampshire League Division One champions a further four times during the Thirties with the reserve side also winning the Division Two title.[6]

The post war era saw Bournemouth Gasworks remain a prominent force in the Hampshire League and the cups. Three times they reached the FA Cup third qualifying round[7] and twice they won the Hampshire Senior Cup. In 1956–57 the Gasworks were relegated after finishing bottom and after a mid-table finish in Division Two, the club left to play in local Dorset football. They would go on to win the Dorset League nine times, as well as winning the Dorset Senior Cup ten times and the Dorset Amateur Cup nine times.

Through circumstances beyond their control, the loss of their magnificent Alder Road home ground in 1972 prompted the club's decision to call it a day after a decline in fortunes.[8]

The final curtain came down in March 1973 the Club staged a formal Farewell Dinner to commemorate the end of an illustrious history. The event was well attended with a number of legends from the 1930 FA Amateur Cup final team in attendance.[9]

Honours

  • Football Association
    • FA Amateur Cup Finalists 1929–30
  • Hampshire Football Association
    • Senior Cup Winners (2) 1952–53 and 1953–54
  • Hampshire League
    • Division 1 Champions (4) 1931–32, 1934–35, 1935–36 and 1937–38, Runners-up 1922-23 and 1936-37
    • Division 2 Champions (1) 1935-36, Runners-up 1934-35 (Reserves)
  • Dorset Football Association
    • Senior Cup Winners (10) 1908–09, 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1913–14, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1924–25, 1930–31 and 1938–39
    • Amateur Cup winners (9)
    • Senior League Champions (9)
  • Bournemouth Football Association
    • Senior Cup Winners

Playing records

League

FA Cup

FA Amateur Cup

Ground

Bournemouth Gasworks played at Alder Road - directly opposite Branksome Recreation Ground in Poole. Opened in 1932, the venue was enclosed, with a large stand and is now covered by housing.[10] The record attendance was in October 1946 when over 1,000 watched the narrow 2-3 defeat by neighbours Poole Town in the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round. [11]

Notable players

The club had many fine players during their existence, including Dennis Bushby,[12], Peter Gledstone[13] and Derek Reeves[14] who all started at the Gasworks before enjoying successful professional careers with Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Southampton.

Local rivals

There are many clubs within the Bournemouth and Poole area that Gasworks enjoyed a healthy rivalry with during their long existence.

Initially, in the Hampshire League these included Boscombe,[15] Bournemouth "Poppies", Poole Town, Christchurch and, until their demise, Pokesdown Old Boys and Bournemouth Transport.[16]

After moving to Dorset football, the main local rivals were then regarded as Hamworthy United, Hamworthy Engineering, Parley Sports and Longfleet St Marys.[17]

References

  1. ^ Association Football in Hampshire until 1914 by Norman Gannaway
  2. ^ A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
  3. ^ The Complete F.A. Amateur Cup Results - by Richard Samuel
  4. ^ https://www.fchd.info/cups/amcupsummary.htm
  5. ^ Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887-1987 by Norman Gannaway
  6. ^ A History of the Hampshire League 1896-1996 by Norman Gannaway
  7. ^ The F.A. Cup Club by Club Record Since 1945 by Tony Williams
  8. ^ Gone But Not Forgotten (Part 5), by Dave Twydell, ISBN 1-874427-01-1
  9. ^ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4690627.bournemouth-gasworks-football-players-still-united/
  10. ^ https://thelonelygoalpost.co.uk/branksome-rec-the-gasworks-and-cowpats/
  11. ^ A History of Bournemouth Football Association & League 1920-95 by Norman Gannaway
  12. ^ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/8475652.former-footballer-dennis-bushby-looks-back-on-good-run/
  13. ^ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/obituaries/11713881.peter-gledstone-former-afc-bournemouth-player-who-loved-to-travel/
  14. ^ stats tab https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/derek-reeves/
  15. ^ Cherries First Hundred Years - This History of AFC Bournemouth 1889-1999 by Kevin Nash
  16. ^ ht://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3E/Hant_29.html
  17. ^ https://fchd.info/lghist/dorset.htm
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