SOUTHAM UNITED F.C.

Southam United celebrated its Centenary in 2005 having been founded in 1905 following the amalgamation of two village teams, Southam United or “Saints” as they are known has a long and distinguished history. From 1947 to 1956 the club won most of the titles in the then prestigious Coventry and North Warwickshire League culminating in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup.

Saints moved into the Midland Combination in 1980/81 and immediately won the Division 3 title and completed the double by winning the Vase Final with a 3-1 victory over Kingsbury United.

When the League was reorganised in 1983/84, United were invited into the Premier Division but after struggling for several seasons they were downgraded to Division 1 when it was discovered that their pitch was now too short owing to the construction of a bowling green next to it. It took until 1995/96 for United to get back into Premier Division football.

In 1997/98 Saints enjoyed their most successful season in the Midland Combination finishing as Premier Division Runners Up and winning the Birmingham County FA Vase with a convincing 3-0 victory over Shirley Town.

All time leading goalscorer (over 1,000 goals) and also record appearance holder is Bob Hancocks who is still actively involved with the club as groundsman, fixture secretary (along with wife, Anne) and general “dogsbody”. In June, 2002 Bob and Anne received a presentation from the Club to mark their over 50 years of loyal service to Southam United.

In 2001 the Club merged with Southam Town FC, a  progressive junior club formed in 1972 which, amongst other things, has pioneered Ladies and Girls football in Warwickshire. Long-term development plans have now been put into place to strengthen the football base in Southam both on and off the field including working towards FA Community Club Charter Standard.

The Club’s Banbury Road headquarters now extends to some 15 acres in all with an increasing number of quality pitches and training areas and ground enhancements including more substantial car parking provision. Over the next few years the Club hopes that a new purpose built multi-changing room and clubhouse complex will be in place to accommodate the ever increasing number of teams.

For season 2007/08 the Club’s range of teams runs from the Mini Soccer School (boys and girls of 5 and a half years upwards) being introduced to the game in a fun environment and playing friendlies); two under 8’s teams, Under 9’s & 10’s (playing competitive mini soccer in the Coventry Minor League and the Mid Warwickshire Junior League); two Under 11’s teams (playing in the Mid Warwickshire Boys League), Under 16’s (playing in the Coventry Minor League); Girls Under 16’s (playing in the Coventry & District Girls League); plus the Men’s Senior Team – some 250 players in all.

Bob Wolstenholme, a qualified physiotherapist, provides preventative and recuperative treatment services for all the senior and junior players at the Club throughout the season.

First Team results from 1998 to 2004 were largely disappointing. A sixth placed MidComb Premier Division finish in 2004/05 augured well for the future but could not be improved upon in season 2005/06 thanks to inconsistent league form. There was, however, some comparative success in Cup competitions, including an appearance in the first ever Cup Final at the Ricoh Arena, when Saints finished as Runners Up to Coundon Court in The Coventry Charity Cup.

Ex Leamington star Barry Shearsby is now in his second season as Manager, assisted by Wayne Goss and Harj Dhesi, as the Club looks to push on to the next level. The Club will be playing in the FA Cup for the first time in it’s history this season.

Team selected from:

Jag Bahi

Wayne Britton (Capt.)

Mark Cheung

Jimmy Claridge

Damian Clough

Jamie Coleman

Harj Dhesi

Tom Friend

James Graham

Matthew Graham

Chris Hanrahan

Stef Jones

Richard Kay

Ian Macvarish

Oliver Manuel (GK)

Andrew McKinley

Richard Middleton

Lee Painter

Brian Roberts (GK)

Lewis Scott

Barry Shearsby

Greg Sherrington

Sushi Thind

Steve Thompson

Ashley Walker

Glen Webb

Management Team:           Barry Shearsby

                                               Wayne Goss

                                               Harj Dhesi

Physio:                                Bob Wolstenholme

 Mascot:                               Adam Bourton

Playing Colours:                Yellow & Royal Blue Shirts

                                                Royal Blue Shorts & Socks