Michelmersh & Timsbury F.C. are a long running amateur football club based in Timsbury, a small village and civil parish three miles north of Romsey in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England,
The club are affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association and are long serving members of the Southampton Football League.
They represent the 'Men's Football Section' of the Michelmersh & Timsbury Sports Club.
History
Michelmersh & Timsbury were formed circa 1928, and initially played friendly fixtures before joining the Eastleigh & District League.Michelmersh & Timsbury FC 1928–2008 – The 80th Anniversary Club History by Lee Whitelock
After World War II, they re-grouped and in 1948 joined the Southampton League where they were placed in Junior Division 4. However, it took them until 1977 to reach the Senior section,Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887–1987 by Norman Gannaway and then until 1990 for their solitary piece of silverware to arrive when the Reserves were champions of Junior Division 4.A Century of Southampton Local Soccer 1908–2008 by John Moody
Hampshire League football arrived in 2002 when they 'temporarily merged' with neighbours Awbridge, who were having problems with their ground.Awbridge FC – The history of a village football club by John Moody For competition purposes, the Men's Football Section was renamed M&T Awbridge until a solution could hopefully be found – this also preserved their tenants long held county status.A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery In 2004 the Hampshire League was absorbed by the Wessex League, but unable to meet the stricter requirements, they instead became founder members of the Hampshire League 2004.
However, a year later they were forced into exile themselves due to a long running dispute between the parent Sports Club and the Parish Council. Eventually, this was resolved, but part of the condition was that they revert back to being known as Michelmersh & Timsbury. With very little chance of ever returning home, the remaining Awbridge members agreed and that club was dissolved.Southampton Senior Cup – The Finals 1909–2022 by Gary Day
Initially, Michelmersh continued to perform well; reaching two cup finals and finishing in their highest position of 5th in 2011. But after this, their fortunes declined and by the time the competition was absorbed by the Hampshire Premier League in 2013, they had become perennial strugglers. The club were finally relegated in 2024 to the Southampton League Premier Division.
The veterans continue to perform well, whilst the Junior section has recently seen a rapid increase in popularity which bodes well for the future.
Honours
1st Team Hampshire League 2004 Trophyman League Cup Finalists 2008/09 Southampton League Southampton Football League Handbook & Directory 2025/26 Junior Division 2 Runners-up 1970/71 Junior Division 3 Runners-up 1969/70 Junior Division 4 Runners-up 1952/53 Other Andover Open Cup Finalists 2005/06
2nd Team Southampton League Junior Division 3 Runners-up 2018/19 Junior Division 4 Champions 1989/90
Veterans Southampton Football Association Southampton Divisional Football Association Handbook 2025/26 Veterans Cup Finalists 2023/24 Southampton League Veterans 'B' Division Runners-up 2024/25 Supplementary Trophy Winners 2005/06
County League career 2002–24 Season Division Position Significant events 2002/03Hampshire League Division 212/13As M&T Awbridge 2003/04Hampshire League Division 212/15Competition absorbed by Wessex League 2004/05Hampshire League 20047/16 2005/06Hampshire League 200410/17 2006/07Hampshire League 200412/16As Michelmersh & Timsbury 2007/08Hampshire League 20047/15 2008/09Hampshire League 20048/15 2009/10Hampshire League 200410/14 2010/11Hampshire League 20045/17 2011/12Hampshire League 200410/13 2012/13Hampshire League 200410/10Competition absorbed by Hampshire Premier League 2013/14Hampshire Premier League Division 19/11 2014/15Hampshire Premier League Division 111/11 2015/16Hampshire Premier League Division 110/11 2016/17Hampshire Premier League Division 17/9 2017/18Hampshire Premier League Division 18/8 2018/19Hampshire Premier League Division 14/8 2019/20Hampshire Premier League Division 1 abandoned due to Covid-19 2020/21Hampshire Premier League Division 1 abandoned due to Covid-19 2021/22Hampshire Premier League Division 1 South7/10 2022/23Hampshire Premier League Division 113/13 2023/24Hampshire Premier League Division 113/13Left competition
Ground
Michelmersh & Timsbury FC play at Timsbury Recreation Ground, Mannyngham Way, Timsbury, SO51 0NJ.
The land was donated to the village residents in 1935 as part of the King George V playing fields initiative. The pavilion was opened in 1988 after the original building was destroyed by fire. It has a large function room with licensed bar. The facility is shared with other sections of the parent Sports Club.
The club also use the adjacent Hunts Farm Sports Ground (owned by Test Valley Borough Council) for staging Reserves and Veterans games.
Notable former players
The former AFC Bournemouth, Rochdale and Aldershot striker Jack Howarth regularly played during the 1986/87 campaign. Stalwart Robin Goodland has given over 60 years devoted service.
Local rivalries
Michelmersh & Timsbury have a number of local rivals within the Test Valley district.
They did occasionally play Awbridge and King's Somborne in cup matches, whilst Hampshire League meetings with Broughton, Braishfield, Mottisfont and especially Romsey Town always generated much interest and attracted large crowds.
Print Michelmersh & Timsbury FC 1928–2008 – 80th Anniversary Club History by Lee Whitelock
References
External links Michelmersh & Timsbury Youth FC website M&T Awbridge at the Football Club History Database Michelmersh & Timsbury at the Football Club History Database Hampshire League Final Tables Hampshire Soccer Archive Village website