Grimethorpe Miners Welfare F.C. was an English association football club based in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire.
History The club was formed as Grimethorpe Rovers prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, and after the end of hostilities changed name to Grimethorpe Athletic. In 1959 (a year after changing name again – to Grimethorpe Miners Welfare), the club joined the Yorkshire League, winning the Division Two title (and with it promotion) at the first attempt, and also the prestigious Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup by beating Denaby United in the final. They spent three years in the top flight before being relegated back to Division Two in 1963. Two years later the club resigned from the league and returned to local football.
By the mid-1970s Grimethorpe were playing in the Doncaster & District Senior League, winning the Division One title in 1977 before winning back-to-back Premier Division titles in 1978 and 1979. In 1980 they rejoined the Yorkshire League, entering Division 3 and winning promotion at the first attempt. In 1982 the Yorkshire League merged with the Midland League to form the Northern Counties East League (NCEL), and Grimethorpe were among the founder members of the new competition.
They entered the FA Vase for the first time in 1982, and won back-to-back promotions in the mid-1980s (despite finishing 7th and 12th) to reach the NCEL's Premier Division. They were relegated back to Division One after three years, but resigned from the league part way through the 1990–91 season. In 1993 they joined the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League (S&HCSL), winning two successive promotions to reach the Premier Division by 1995. After finishing 3rd in the S&HCSL's top flight, they joined the Central Midlands League (CMFL), winning promotion in their debut season to reach the CMFL Supreme Division.
After four years in the CMFL, they resigned and seemingly disbanded again. In 2002 the club was reformed in the S&HCSL, but would only last a further year before dissolving for good.
League and cup history Grimethorpe Miners Welfare League and Cup history Season Division Position FA Vase 1959–60 Yorkshire League Division 2 1st/15 - 1960–61 Yorkshire League Division 1 5th/18 - 1961–62 Yorkshire League Division 1 13th/16 - 1962–63 Yorkshire League Division 1 16th/16 - 1963–64 Yorkshire League Division 2 10th/15 - 1964–65 Yorkshire League Division 2 11th/15 - 1976–77 Doncaster & District Senior League Division 1 1st - 1977–78 Doncaster & District Senior League Premier Division 1st - 1978–79 Doncaster & District Senior League Premier Division 1st - 1980–81 Yorkshire League Division 3 4th/16 - 1981–82 Yorkshire League Division 2 12th/16 - 1982–83 Northern Counties East League Division 2 North 6th/14 3rd Round 1983–84 Northern Counties East League Division 2 North 9th/14 Preliminary Round 1984–85 Northern Counties East League Division 1 Central 10th/16 Preliminary Round 1985–86 Northern Counties East League Division 2 7th/16 Preliminary Round 1986–87 Northern Counties East League Division 1 12th/18 1st Round 1987–88 Northern Counties East League Premier Division 9th/17 Preliminary Round 1988–89 Northern Counties East League Premier Division 15th/17 Preliminary Round 1989–90 Northern Counties East League Premier Division 17th/18 Preliminary Round 1990–91 Northern Counties East League Division 1 Withdrew Extra Preliminary Round 1993–94 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division 2 1st/14 - 1994–95 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division 1 1st/14 - 1995–96 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division 3rd/14 - 1996–97 Central Midlands League Premier Division 2nd/18 - 1997–98 Central Midlands League Supreme Division 12th/16 2nd Qualifying Round 1998–99 Central Midlands League Supreme Division 18th/19 2nd Qualifying Round 1999–00 Central Midlands League Supreme Division 12th/19 - 2002–03 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division 2 7th/14 -
Honours
League Yorkshire League Division Two Promoted: 1959–60 (champions) Yorkshire League Division Three Promoted: 1980–81 Northern Counties East League Division One Promoted: 1986–87 Northern Counties East League Division Two Promoted: 1985–86 Central Midlands League Premier Division Promoted: 1996–97 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division Two Promoted: 1993–94 (champions) Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division One Promoted: 1994–95 (champions) Doncaster & District Senior League Premier Division Champions: 1977–78, 1978–79 Doncaster & District Senior League Division One Promoted: 1976–77 (champions)
Cup Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Winners: 1959–60 Runners-up: 1995–96
Records Best FA Vase performance: 3rd Round, 1982–83
References