Braishfield F.C. is an amateur football club based in Braishfield, a village and civil parish about two miles northeast of Romsey in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England.

The club is affiliated with the Hampshire Football Association and are long serving members of the Southampton League.

History

Braishfield were formed in 1907 The Official History of Braishfield Football Club 1907-2024 by Lee Whitelock and spent their early years playing friendlies against various local opponents. The first known match ended in a 4–4 draw with Ampfield in November 1907.Association Football in Hampshire until 1914 by Norman Gannaway

After World War I, the club became more organised and began using the village recreation ground for home fixtures. In 1923, they became founding members of the short-lived Ampfield & District League before progressing to the larger Southampton League. After World War II, they returned to the competition in 1948 and, apart from a five-year period playing in the Eastleigh & District League from 1955–60, they have remained members ever since.

It was not until the formation of a successful Sunday side in the early 1970's that Braishfield won their first piece of silverware.A Century of Southampton Local Soccer 1908-2008 by John Moody When interest faded, attention shifted back to the Saturday team, which began rapidly climbing through the Junior divisions.Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887-1987 by Norman Gannaway By 1980, the club had gained Senior status for the first time and formed a reserve side. Two further promotions saw them reach the Premier Division in 1985, where they finished as runners-up and made a successful application to join the Hampshire League.

Operating on limited resources, Braishfield solidified their position in Division 2 during a period that included several historically successful clubs.A History of the Hampshire League 1896-1996 by Norman Gannaway The team also reached the latter stages of multiple cup competitions. In 1992, they reached the Southampton Senior Cup final, losing 0–2 to Aerostructures at The Dell, Southampton.Southampton Senior Cup – The Finals 1909-2022 by Gary Day However, a player exodus two years later saw them relegated, after losing almost every game.

Hampshire League record 1986-2000 A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery

SeasonDivisionPositionPldWDLFAPtsNotes1986/87Two8/18321011114649312 points for a win1987/88Two13/193613419486530Southampton Senior Cup semi-finalists 1988/89Two8/193614913506337 1989/90Two10/1834137144651463 points for a win 1990/91Two9/1834141194238531991/92Two8/152810612424936Southampton Senior Cup finalists1992/93Two14/183410519396135Hampshire Intermediate Cup semi-finalists 1993/94Two17/17321130151774Relegated1994/95Three15/18348818517632 1995/96Three15/183471314406134 1996/97Three14/203812818436544 1997/98Three14/163055204511720 1998/99Three10/193412715485343League re-organisation1999/00Two13/14243417226813Relegated

In 2000, Braishfield were relegated back to the Southampton League, and by the time they celebrated their centenary in 2007, they had dropped back into the Junior section. The club’s survival during this period was largely due to the efforts of a small and loyal committee.

Following the opening of a much-needed new pavilion, the club won the Junior Division 2 title in 2014. This resulted in a 'double promotion' to Senior Division 1, where they enjoyed another strong season. Although Braishfield narrowly missed out on a second consecutive title, they caused a major upset by winning the Senior League Cup, defeating higher division BTC Southampton in a dramatic final at Eastleigh FC.

Initially, Braishfield struggled upon their return to the top flight and were relegated in 2018. However, they bounced back at the first attempt and have since become well-established at that level. They have reached the Senior League Cup final twice more (both held at AFC Totton), though were convincingly beaten on both occasions.

Honours 1st Team Southampton Football Association Southampton Divisional Football Association Handbook 2017/18 Senior Cup Finalists: 1991/92 Charity Cup Finalists: 1986 Southampton League Southampton Football League Handbook & Directory 2018/19 Premier Division Runners-up: 1985/86 Senior Division 1 Runners-up: 2014/15 and 2018/19 Senior Division 2 Runners-up: 1980/81 Junior Division 2 Champions: 2013/14; Runners-up: 1978/79 Junior Division 3 Runners-up: 1977/78 Junior Division 4 Runners-up: 1976/77 Junior Division 5 Runners-up: 1965/66 Junior Division 8 Runners-up: 1960/61 Senior League Cup Winners: 2014/15; Finalists: 2022/23 and 2023/24 Supplementary Trophy Finalists: 2015/16

2nd Team Southampton League Junior Division 2 Runners-up: 2018/19 Junior Division 8 Champions: 1979/80 Junior League Trophy Winners: 2003/04

Ground

Braishfield Football Club plays at the Recreation Ground, Braishfield Road, Braishfield, SO51 0PN. They have done so since 1922, after local resident Mrs. King donated the land to the village. The record attendance is believed to be around 300 in August 1983 when the club played an Ex-Southampton XI in a fundraising fixture.

The pavilion is located the lower (school) end of the field, with the new, modern-day pavilion officially opened by Lawrie McMenemy in July 2013. The building features a covered area for spectators and a large function room with a licensed bar.

The venue has a large car park at the upper end, adjacent to the Village Hall and Pantry.

Notable players Throughout its history, Braishfield has had many notable players, most famously Dave Old, who dedicated over 60 years of service to the club on and off the pitch.

The former Southampton skipper Peter Rodriguesstats tab https://www.saintsplayers.co.uk/player/peter-rodrigues/ played for the club during the 1983/84 campaign, whilst village resident John Mortimore was a regular supporter at home matches.https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19051304.lawrie-not-many-people-like-john-mortimore-around-days/

Local rivalries

Braishfield has a longstanding rivalry with Test Valley neighbours Romsey Town, Mottisfont and Michelmersh & Timsbury, whom they now frequently face in the Southampton League. Other rivalries have faded due to the broader decline in grassroots football.

Print The Official History of Braishfield Football Club 1907-2024 - by Lee Whitelock

References

External links

Braishfield Bees Youth website Pictorial History video New Pavilion Project pictorial video Braishfield at the Football Club History Database

Hampshire Soccer Archives Hampshire League Final Tables Old Football Shirts Village website