Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic F.C.

Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic F.C.
Full nameBournemouth Gasworks Athletic Football Club
NicknamesGasmen, 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

Branksome Gasworks were founded in 1899 as the Bournemouth Gas & Water Co works side [1] and joined the Hampshire League West Division in 1904. After World War I, they became Bournemouth Gasworks Athletic and in 1921 were placed in the County Division (later to become Division 1).[2] This marked the start of a very successful period for 'the Lights' as they were crowned champions in 1923 and frequently won the Dorset Senior Cup.

The club gained national recognition for their exploits in the FA Amateur Cup, travelling the country and enjoying several lengthy runs in the competition.[3] The most famous of these came in 1930 when they incredibly progressed through nine rounds (defeating Wycombe Wanderers, Barnet and Wimbledon) to reach the final at West Ham United's Upton Park. Here, in front of a crowd of 21,800, they held favourites Ilford 1–1 at the break before eventually losing 1-5.[4] Three years later, they reached the semi-finals but were narrowly beaten 1–2 by Stockton.[5]

In 1932 the Gasworks opened their new stadium at Alder Road and by this point were very much the dominant force in county football. They were Hampshire league champions a further four times during the thirties with the reserve side also winning the Division 2 title.[6]

The post World War II era saw Bournemouth Gasworks remain a prominent force; three times they reached the FA Cup third qualifying round [7] and twice won the Hampshire Senior Cup. However, in 1957 the club were surprisingly relegated after finishing bottom, and after a mid-table finish in Division 2, they left to play in local Dorset football, where they would go on to enjoy further successes. [8]

Through circumstances beyond their control, the loss of their home ground in 1966 inevitably saw a decline in fortunes.[9] Now playing at Branksome Rec, they struggled on until folding in 1972.[10]

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.[11]

Honours

  • Football Association
    • Amateur Cup Finalists 1929–30
  • Hampshire Football Association
  • Hampshire League
    • Division 1 Champions (5) 1922-23, 1931–32, 1934–35, 1935–36 and 1937–38, Runners-up 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)

Playing records

Hampshire 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.[12] 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.[13]

Notable players

The club had many fine players during their existence, including Dennis Bushby,[14] Peter Gledstone[15] and Derek Reeves[16] 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 area that Gasworks enjoyed a healthy rivalry with over the years.

Initially, in the Hampshire League these included Boscombe,[17] Bournemouth "Poppies" and, until their demise, Bournemouth Tramways.[18]

After moving to Dorset football, the main local rivals were then regarded as Poole Town, Hamworthy and Longfleet St Marys.[19]

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. ↑ 125 Not Out - A History of the Dorset County Football Association 1887-2012 by Norman Gannaway
  9. ↑ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18419484.picture-day-bournemouth-gasworks-football-club-grandstand-demolition-1966/
  10. ↑ Gone But Not Forgotten (Part 5), by Dave Twydell, ISBN 1-874427-01-1
  11. ↑ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4690627.bournemouth-gasworks-football-players-still-united/
  12. ↑ https://thelonelygoalpost.co.uk/branksome-rec-the-gasworks-and-cowpats/
  13. ↑ A History of Bournemouth Football Association & League 1920-95 by Norman Gannaway
  14. ↑ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/8475652.former-footballer-dennis-bushby-looks-back-on-good-run/
  15. ↑ https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/obituaries/11713881.peter-gledstone-former-afc-bournemouth-player-who-loved-to-travel/
  16. ↑ stats tab https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/derek-reeves/
  17. ↑ Cherries First Hundred Years - This History of AFC Bournemouth 1889-1999 by Kevin Nash
  18. ↑ ht://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3E/Hant_29.html
  19. ↑ https://fchd.info/lghist/dorset.htm
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