WILMSLOW SPORTS JFC HISTORY
Wilmslow Sports JFC was founded in 1967 by three fathers, whose son's wanted to play the “beautiful game”, but found there were no local clubs offering junior football. Originally playing on pitches currently occupied by the Leisure Centre, or where the High School is now , on a ground affectionately known as “The Bowl”!. Like many football clubs, one of the founders, Bill Reeman , was the son of the local vicar and the Rectory provided the first changing rooms. The club have had to move on several occasions as the High School re-building, and the by-pass took over their pitches, and has now decamped to any available sports fields in the Wilmslow area!
On the playing side, the club has had many successes, with players representing their local leagues and areas which continues to this day. Progression to league clubs is the ambition of many of our current players; whilst this might be a distant reality, there are still successes, both on the field and as managers.
Major fundraising, was achieved in particular through Sportsman's Dinners, and some illustrious guests have spoken at these events over the years. Club stalwart, Bernard Percival, the local Police Sergeant, is rumoured even to have exerted special powers to get local luminaries to attend! The first event in 1980 was hosted by local broadcaster Stuart Hall and Freddie Pye (City's Vice– Chairman), who was club president; and guests included Sir Bobby Charlton; Ray Wilkins and Bryan Robson . Annual dinners followed with more “Sirs” invited, including Richard Hadlee and more recently Alex Ferguson, who was also President of the club. Joe Mercer even attended on one occasion as a substitute for Tommy Docherty .
A club goal of providing a more permanent home was accomplished in part with the building of the Upcast Lane changing rooms. A match between veterans of Manchester City and Manchester United was played in October 1994 to mark the opening.
The club has also been well supported by local businesses over the years, with large organisations such as Astra Zeneca, MacDonalds, and most recently The Emerson Group, but in particular local sports shop Gilberts Sports, whose owner John Halfpenny was responsible for providing not only kit and equipment , but links to many of the local stars who helped with fundraising and prize giving's, as well as the “Sports” connection in our name!
Club tours were started in 1973; visiting the Isle of Man initially, but venturing further a field in later years; to France, Belgium and most recently Holland.
The Mini World Cup has become a local institution; a football festival for local schools where teams represent the nations and vie for both local and “international” honours. The idea has expanded to include the Euro championships providing now allowing for a bi yearly tournament.
2008 -2009 season saw the introduction of both girls football to the club and an open age team which will now allow players to join the club at 9 and play though their adult years.
It is a major tribute to the original founders that in the days of multi-media and general declines in fitness levels, so many of Wilmslow's young players still turn out every week to represent their club.
