Malshanger Sports F.C.
Malshanger F.C. were a long running amateur football club based in Malshanger – a small hamlet located to the south-east of the town of Basingstoke in north Hampshire.
Playing on a private seven-acre sports field, they represented the football section of the parent Malshanger Sports & Social Club.
History
Malshanger were formed in 1967 and spent their early days playing local Basingstoke Sunday football with great success. Eventually, the transition was made to Saturdays, and due to their excellent playing record and fine facilities, they went straight into Division 2 of the North Hants League, winning promotion at the second attempt.
In 1979, Malshanger won the title and made a successful application to join the Hampshire League Division 4 where they quickly settled. A year later, when the competition was restructured to three larger divisions, they were placed in the third tier. Here they soon became regular promotion contenders, and in 1985, a fourth place finish was rewarded with promotion. Two years later, after a vast number of the competitions top clubs departed to join the newly formed Wessex League, they were then placed in a restructured Division 1, but were relegated.
Malshanger soon re-grouped and got back on track. Their finest hour came in 1991 when they won both the Division 2 title and the Hampshire Intermediate Cup.
This time, they were better prepared for the top-flight and a year later finished in fifth place for what was their highest final position. However, after a series of steady seasons they were relegated in 1997. Malshanger started the following campaign back in Division 2, but having just managed to fulfil their opening fixture, they were unable to raise a team thereafter leading to their withdrawal and an abrupt end to their 30 year existence.
Honours
- Hampshire Football Association
- Intermediate Cup Winners 1990/91
- North Hants Football Association
- Senior Cup Winners
- Hampshire League
- Division 2 Champions 1990/91
- North Hants League
- Division 1 Champions 1978/79
- Division 2 Runners-up 1976/77
- Basingstoke & District League
- Senior Cup Winners 3 times
Hampshire League record 1979–97
Season |
Division |
Position |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979/80 |
Four |
3/12 |
22 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
40 |
23 |
26 |
League restructure at end of season |
1980/81 |
Three |
8/18 |
32 |
13 |
6 |
13 |
58 |
56 |
32 |
|
1981/82 |
Three |
5/16 |
30 |
16 |
6 |
8 |
65 |
38 |
38 |
|
1982/83 |
Three |
9/15 |
26 |
10 |
4 |
12 |
38 |
43 |
24 |
|
1983/84 |
Three |
10/18 |
34 |
12 |
8 |
14 |
58 |
45 |
32 |
|
1984/85 |
Three |
4/18 |
34 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
51 |
41 |
41 |
Promoted |
1985/86 |
Two |
13/18 |
34 |
10 |
10 |
14 |
49 |
56 |
30 |
League restructure at end of season |
1986/87 |
One |
17/18 |
34 |
8 |
4 |
22 |
33 |
79 |
20 |
Relegated |
1987/88 |
Two |
4/19 |
36 |
23 |
7 |
6 |
67 |
37 |
53 |
|
1988/89 |
Two |
10/19 |
36 |
13 |
10 |
13 |
40 |
37 |
36 |
|
1989/90 |
Two |
7/18 |
34 |
9 |
7 |
18 |
39 |
55 |
34 |
3 points for a win |
1990/91 |
Two |
1/18 |
34 |
20 |
6 |
8 |
66 |
43 |
66 |
Promoted |
1991/92 |
One |
5/18 |
34 |
16 |
6 |
10 |
52 |
41 |
56 |
|
1992/93 |
One |
12/17 |
32 |
9 |
7 |
16 |
32 |
48 |
34 |
|
1993/94 |
One |
14/20 |
38 |
12 |
9 |
17 |
53 |
68 |
45 |
|
1994/95 |
One |
5/20 |
38 |
15 |
9 |
14 |
65 |
58 |
54 |
|
1995/96 |
One |
10/20 |
38 |
12 |
11 |
15 |
58 |
70 |
47 |
|
1996/97 |
One |
20/21 |
40 |
7 |
7 |
26 |
44 |
156 |
28 |
Relegated |
1997/98 |
Two |
18/18 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Withdrew |
Ground
The Malshanger Estate was a private seven-acre sports field incorporating a cricket square and two pitches which were provided for their exclusive use by Sir Michael Colman (of Colman’s Mustard fame). Close by was a spacious clubhouse with adjoining squash court and two bowling greens. Despite its rural setting, the venue was a popular choice for hosting local Basingstoke cup finals.
Local rivalries
During their existence, Malshanger enjoyed a long running local rivalry with a number of clubs in the area. These mostly included Basing Rovers, Overton United, Portals Athletic and Whitchurch United.