Tunbridge Wells F.C.

Football club infobox |clubname = Tunbridge Wells|

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Tunbridge Wells F.C. is a football club based in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. For the 2008-09 season, they are members of the Kent League Premier Division.

History

Tunbridge Wells FC was originally formed in 1886 and played as an amateur side playing in the South Eastern League, Spartan League and the Isthmian League they closed down in 1914 at the start of the First World War. Tunbridge Wells Rangers FC were a separate side formed in 1903 as a professional side playing in the Kent League and Southern League prior to the First World War. The 1930s was probably the club's heyday, with consistent high placings in the Southern League and several impressive FA Cup runs, including two appearances in the second round proper.

After the war, the Wells briefly returned to the amateur leagues (as Tunbridge Wells United) before re-joining the Kent League in 1950, and then the Southern League in 1960. During this period, the club once again progressed to the first round proper of the FA Cup but unfortunately endured a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton. In 1961 they fared slightly better, edged out 3-1 by Aldershot F.C., their last appearance to date in the Cup proper.

In the early 60s Rangers (a name to which they reverted in 1963) began to struggle in the Southern League, and in 1967 the club folded. The supporters formed a new club, once again called simply Tunbridge Wells FC, and re-joined the Kent League, where they have remained ever since. The Wells won the Kent League championship in 1985, and have also won the Kent League Cup on four occasions since the reformation of the club, as well as reaching the last 32 of the FA Vase on no less than five occasions.

On August 31 2005, Tunbridge Wells made football history by winning the longest penalty shoot-out ever in a senior cup match. No less than 43 spot kicks were needed before Wells emerged as victors 16-15 over Littlehampton Town in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Ground

Culverden Stadium lies behind the Kent & Sussex Hospital. Concrete terracing is located behind one goal. Along one side of the pitch, which has a very marked slope to it, stand the original clubhouse/changing rooms on the half-way line, and two newer covered stands on either side, built of brick and wood. Combined, these extend virtually the whole length of the touchline. Behind one goal is a sheer drop which has seen the demise of many a football, which is restricted in part by the installation of a large net. The ground also has floodlights and a large car park.

A clubhouse is situated by the main turnstile, and serves regular supporters and visitors beverages and food. The clubhouse offers views of the car park and many items of paraphernalia connected to the club's history upon its walls.

In September 2006, vandals ransacked the clubhouse, spraying ketchup, coffee and chocolate powder over the walls, smashing football memorabilia, filling the pool table with washing up liquid and flooding the building by leaving beer taps on. They then made off with expensive electrical, garden equipment and alcohol from the bar. [http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=142999&command=displayContent&sourceNode=142729&contentPK=15487979&folderPk=82880&pNodeId=142739]

Honours

*Kent League
**Champions 1984/85
**League Cup Winners 1974/75, 1977/78, 1985/86, 1987/88
* Courier Cup Winners (competition against Tonbridge Angels inaugurated in 2000) 2001 (Shared), 2006

Club records

* Best league position: 15th in Southern League, 1959/60 and 1961/62
* Best FA Cup performance: 2nd round, 1930/31 and 1936/37
* Best FA Vase performance: 4th round, 1974/75, 1975/76, 1978/79, 1984/85, 1992/93

ources

*fchd|name=Tunbridge Wells|id=TUNBRIDW

External links

* [http://www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk Official website]