BOLEHALL SWIFTS

FOOTBALL CLUB

Founded 1953, Bolehall Swifts took the name of its’ estate and that of two local teams who were successful in the area, and the birds which by coincidence came every summer to fly high above its original headquarters the Amington Inn.  The first dressing rooms was  an old double-decker bus which was a feature at the rear of the Jolly Sailor public house where the Swifts first played their games in the Tamworth & Trent Valley League.  Winning the League Shield and the Agnes Durham Cup in 53/54.  It was 1956 before the Swifts won their next major trophy and that was the Coleshill Charity Cup, and then went on to win a number of local charity competitions, but not until 1976 did they first win the Fazeley Charity Cup which is traditionally played on Good Friday.  Sadly, Mick Hill the Manager who brought them the first victory in that most sort after local competition  has passed away.

After leaving the Jolly Sailor ground, which is near the Castle Grounds in Tamworth , the Swifts played their home games on Morrows’ field, behind the Gate Inn Amington.  But in 1959 purchased the old allotments from a local farmer, just over 7 acres, in Rene Road Bolehall, for the princely sum of £350.  Two pitches were established there, a tea bar and dressing rooms were built, with most of the work being done by locals.  It was August 1961 when the first competitive match was played on the Rene Road Ground and that was against Tamworth WMC .  It was developed as a sports and social club in l975/76 and has never looked back since.  The pitch facilities have changed rapidly, from a little wooden 'bus stop' stand, to the 'BOLEHALL SWIFTS FOUNDED 1953' stand, followed by the all seated 'WELCOME TO BOLEHALL' stand.  Roped off areas have been replaced by metal fencing, grassed standing/walking  areas have been replaced by hard core standing, and the FLOODLIGHTS were officially opened by MARK HUGHES then of Manchester United.  The new dressing rooms have been built nearer the pitch with other social facilities enclosed.

From the T&TV League the Swifts moved on to the Sutton District League, the City &Suburban League, the Mercian League and the Staffs County before joining the Midland Football Combination in 1980/81.

An excellent season was l984/85 when Swifts became Champions of Division 2, and won the Challenge Vase and the Fazeley Charity Cup again..  In 85/86 came promotion to the Premier Division.  In 1994/95 Swifts became Founder Members of the Midland Alliance, but had two struggling seasons before finding themselves back in the Midland Combination.  RON TRANTER took charge 1996/97. With Jon Capaldi at his side they brought success in season 97/98.   Swifts finished third, sharing 83 points with second placed Southam United and also won the League Challenge Cup.  In 2001/2002 they brought  the WALSALL SENIOR CUP to the SWIFTS beating Tividale on penalties at the Bescot Stadium home of Walsall FC.

Season 2002/03 saw Jon Capaldi and Tony Edmead, Manage and Coach with Ron in a General role. 

During which Swifts finished 4^th in the Premier Division  with NINE WINS in succession - 4 games WITHOUT CONCEDING A GOAL in succession (all league) - 86 POINTS FROM 42 GAMES AND MARTIN TAYLOR became the longest serving player with 277 appearances since the club joined the Midland Football Combination..  Swifts were also TEAM OF THE MONTH  March 2003 –and reached the  TOP OF THE  PREMIER 25/3/03 for 7 days.

Ron Tranter with Coach Paul Barnes took the reins of Management for the 50 years anniversary season 2003/2004.  Seson 2004-2005ROB MASEFIELD took control and guided the team to 11^th out of 22 teams.  Season2005-2006 Rob appointed Paul Barnes as his second in command and together they reached 6^th in the Premier scoring 90 League Goals equalling club record in the Premier  Division..

(If you wish to supply information for Bolehall Swifts programme)

email Swiftsfc@hotmail.com.