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Burnham F.C.

Coordinates: 51°32′16″N 0°40′0″W / 51.53778°N 0.66667°W / 51.53778; -0.66667
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Burnham Football Club
Full nameBurnham Football Club
Nickname(s)The Blues
Founded1878
StadiumThe 1878 Stadium
Capacity2,500
ManagerMo Bakali and Omar Bakali (Joint)
LeagueCombined Counties League Premier Division North
2023–24Combined Counties League Premier Division North, 6th of 20
Websitehttp://www.burnhamfc1878.co.uk

Burnham F.C. is a non-League football club based in Burnham in Buckinghamshire, near Slough. They currently compete in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North. The team play in blue and white shirts and white shorts. Home matches are played at The 1878 Stadium, previously known as The Gore, which has been recently redeveloped to include a new 3G pitch, supporter stand and club facilities.[1]

History

[edit]

The club was founded in 1878, and so Burnham FC is the second oldest club in Buckinghamshire. The club spent its first years in various local leagues, and then joined the Great Western Combination league in 1948. 16 years later they moved to the Wycombe Combination in 1964 and then spent one year in the Reading Combination for the 1970–71 season.[2]

The team first joined a senior league in 1971 when they entered the Hellenic Football League Division One A, finishing as runners-up in their first season, followed by a runners-up position in Division One which saw them promoted to the Premier Division. In 1975–76 they were Premier Division champions. In 1977 they switched to the Athenian League, where they achieved two runners-up finishes, and also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

In 1984 Burnham switched leagues to the London Spartan League, where they were champions at the first attempt. The following year the club merged with Hillingdon F.C. to form Burnham & Hillingdon F.C., taking over Hillingdon's place in the Southern League.[3][4] In 1987 the club's name reverted simply to Burnham F.C. but performances on the pitch declined and the 1994–95 season saw the club relegated back to the Hellenic League. In four seasons back at this level the club never finished out of the top 5, resulting in promotion back to the Southern League in 1999. Due to the renaming and restructuring of divisions they technically played in three different divisions without ever being relegated or promoted during their time in the Southern League.

Burnham have had modest success in cup competitions. Their best run in the FA Vase came in the 1982–83 season where they lost to Halesowen Town in a two legged semi-final (the home match being the club's highest recorded attendance). In 1999–2000 they reached the 4th round of the FA Trophy where they drew Scarborough, then residing in the Conference (they had also recently been relegated from the Football League). Burnham managed a 1–1 draw at home before losing 6–0 in the replay. In the 2005–06 season, Dave Mudge's Burnham side achieved their best run in the FA Cup, losing 3–1 at home to Aldershot Town in the 1st round proper. The game was watched by one of the biggest crowds at Burnham in recent years and even saw Burnham appear briefly on Match of the Day.

Burnham completed one of their best seasons in recent memory when they finished 3rd in the Southern League Division One South & West in 2006–07. Due to this league position they entered the promotion playoffs but lost at home in the semi-final 1–2 to eventual playoff winners Swindon Supermarine. This outcome was mirrored three seasons later, when, under the managerial guidance of Jamie Jarvis, the Blues again lost out in the semi-final of the play-offs, this time to Chesham United. Martin Stone was appointed manager in December 2011 and under his stewardship the club enjoyed its most successful period.

After winning the Wycombe Senior Cup in 2011–12 the 2012–13 season saw the club gain promotion to the Southern League Premier Division when they finished as champions of the Division One Central.[5] This was to be the first time Burnham had ever played at this level of football, but they had to reckon without top scorer Ryan Bird, who signed for Portsmouth. Martin Stone resigned in January 2014 with the club 8th in the Southern League Premier Division.

After just surviving relegation from the Southern League Premier Division having finished in 20th position in the 2013–14 season, the club appointed former Hillingdon Borough, Northwood and Wingate & Finchley manager Gary Meakin who joined the club from Beaconsfield SYCOB.[6] Byron Walton, who most recently served as SYCOB manager before leaving in 2012, joined as general manager.

Meakin resigned from his position as manager after the 0–0 draw with Chippenham Town on 29 November 2014, a result that left Burnham in 21st position.[7] Burnham then appointed a joint managerial team of Danny Gordon and Gareth Risbridger, who both assumed the role as joint-managers, in December 2014 as Meakin's replacements.[8]

Both Gordon and Risbridger departed the club, following their relegation from the Premier Division, in May 2015. The board moved quickly appointing former Binfield boss Mark Tallentire as the club's new manager on 11 May 2015, but he resigned in September 2015 bringing about yet another change in manager. On 23 November, Burnham confirmed a further managerial change, with former professional player Dave Tuttle taking charge.[9] Tuttle therefore became Burnham's third manager already during the 2015–16 season and their sixth in the last two campaigns.[9]

On 19 April 2016, Burnham lost 2–1 at home to Didcot Town.[10] This defeat confirmed the club's second successive relegation[11] and will see them play at a level below the Southern League for the first time since the late 1990s, when they played in the Hellenic Football League.[12] Burnham's chairman was quoted as saying that registering 112 players over the course of the season was "unforgivable" and was one of the contributing factors towards the club's relegation.[13][14] Following relegation, Burnham appealed against their demotion.[15] They were ultimately unsuccessful and it was confirmed they would play in the Hellenic Football League for season 2016–17.

Despite a promising pre-season with two wins, Burnham's new first team suffered their heaviest defeat in six years when they lost 8–1 to Thame United in their first game of the Hellenic League season.[16][17]

In August 2016, the club parted company with manager Dave Tuttle. The club's director of football, former Watford player and England international Luther Blissett continued to direct the coaching, along with Bliss8 assistant coaches. It was announced that a new first team manager would be recruited working within the club's development strategy. Blissett's first game in charge resulted in a 011 home defeat to Thatcham Town as Burnham's poor start to the season continued.[18] Due to the heavy nature of this defeat, the result and highlights were available on the BBC website,[19] and discussed briefly in The Guardian "Football Weekly" podcast.[20] On 27 September, Burnham announced that former Watford player Gifton Noel-Williams would be taking over the managerial job at the club.[21] He led the team to their first points of the season in October, but the club announced on 9 November that Noel-Williams had left the club.[22][23] As a result, Blissett again took charge of the team.[24]

On 11 January, it was revealed that Burnham had appointed two coaches from nearby Slough Town to manage the team in their bid to avoid yet another relegation.[25] However, that move was met with surprise from temporary coach Luther Blissett who said they and 15 new players were appointed without his knowing, and before he had been informed his services were no longer required.[26] The latest change to the club's structure was later confirmed by the club's official Twitter account.[27][28]

Despite a slight improvement to their end of season form, and managing to finish the season 17th out of 18 teams, Burnham finished in the relegation places. However, they avoided a third straight relegation to the Hellenic Division One East for the 2017–18 season following the resignation from the Premier Division of Ardley United. The end of the 2016–17 also saw Burnham's chairman depart, as well as one of their joint managers, Jon Palmer. Mark Betts stated that the club "...would need to be sorted out behind the scenes".[29] In the 2017–18 season Burnham were relegated from the Hellenic Premier Division with two games left to play, but they did manage to get to the Bluefin Sport Supplementary Cup final.

Burnham started the 2018–19 season in the Hellenic League Division One East,[30] the lowest level of the football pyramid they have played at since the late 1960s. At the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to the Combined Counties League Premier Division North. In October 2021 Ash James resigned his position due to work and family commitments and his assistant Manny Williams stepped in to take over as first team manager. Williams left the club by mutual consent in January 2022. On 22 January 2022 Ben Murray took over at The 1878 Stadium.

Burnham won the Premier Challenge Cup at the end of the 2023–24 season, beating Virginia Water 2–1 at The Racecourse Ground. Then, in October 2024, Ben Murray and his assistant Kavi Luchowa parted company with Burnham FC by mutual consent and the Bakali brothers Mo and Omar, originally from Rising Ballers Kensington and who were by now already part of the management team at Burnham, took over as joint managers.

Seasons

[edit]
Main article: List of Burnham F.C. seasons
Year League Lvl Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Position Leading league scorer FA Cup FA Trophy Average home
attendance
Name Goals Res Rec Res Rec
2011–12 Southern Football League
Division One Central 		8 42 13 13 16 64 67 −3 52 15th of 22 QR3 3–1–1 PR 0–1–1
2012–13 42 31 6 5 108 39 69 99 1st of 22
Promoted 		Ryan Bird 42 PR 0–0–1 QR2 1–0–1
2013–14 Southern Football League
Premier Division 		7 44 12 8 24 60 91 −31 44 20th of 23 Ryan Blake 12 QR2 1–0–1 QR2 1–0–1 134
2014–15 44 5 8 31 41 89 −48 20* 23rd of 23
Relegated 		Nicke Kabamba 10 QR2 1–0–1 QR2 1–3–0 132
2015–16 Southern Football League
Division One South & West 		8 42 6 6 30 39 99 −60 24 21st of 22
Relegated 		Tre Mitford 9 PR 0–1–1 PR 0–0–1 79

Ground

[edit]
The Gore, Burnham

Burnham play their games at The 1878 Stadium, previously known as The Gore, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG.

In December 2010, Burnham FC applied to the Southern Football League to lay a new third generation (3G) playing surface at The Gore, which was sanctioned in January 2011.[31][32] During July 2021 this new 3G artificial playing surface was installed at the renamed 1878 Stadium, replacing the original grass pitch to provide all year round football for the players, supporters and local community.

Other teams that have shared the ground since the 3G pitch was installed include Wargrave FC, Wycombe Wanderers Women FC and from 2023 Southall FC.

The 1878 Stadium, Burnham Football Club
The 1878 Stadium, Burnham Football Club

Club honours

[edit]
  • Southern Football League Division One Central :[33]
    • Winners (1): 2012–13
  • Hellenic Football League Premier Division :[3]
    • Winners (2): 1975–76, 1998–99
  • Hellenic Football League Division One:[3]
    • Runners-up (2): 1971–72, 1972–73
  • Athenian League :[3]
    • Runners-up (2): 1978–79, 1979–80
  • London Spartan League :[3]
    • Winners (1): 1984–85
  • Great Western Combination League Premier Division :[34]
    • Runners-up (1): 1954–55
  • Great Western Combination League Division one :[34]
    • Runners-up (1): 1952–53
  • Wycombe Combination League :[34]
    • Runners-up (4): 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69, 1969–70
  • Hellenic League Challenge Cup :[34]
    • Winners (1): 1998–99
  • Hellenic League Premier Division Cup:[34]
    • Winners (1): 1975–76
  • Hellenic League Division One Cup :[34]
    • Winners (1): 1972–73
    • Runners-up (1): 1971–72
  • London Spartan League Cup :[34]
    • Winners (1): 1984–85
  • Reading Combination League Cup :[34]
    • Winners (1): 1970–71
  • Slough Cup :[35]
    • Winners (9): 1927–28, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1969–70
  • Wycombe Senior Cup :[34]
    • Winners (9): 1897–98, 1908–09, 1925–26, 1934–35, 1951–52, 1966–67, 1969–70, 2008–09, 2011–12
  • Combined Counties Football League Premier Challenge Cup :[34]
    • Winners (1): 2023–24

Club records

[edit]
  • Best league performance:[3] 20th in Southern League Premier Division, 2013–14
  • Best FA Cup performance:[3] 1st round proper, 2005–06, lost 3–1 to Aldershot Town at The Gore
  • Best FA Trophy performance:[3] 4th round, 1999–2000, lost 6–0 to Scarborough at the McCain Stadium (Replay following 1–1 draw at The Gore)
  • Best FA Vase performance:[3] Semi-final, 1982–83

Former players

[edit]
Further information: Category:Burnham F.C. players

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bigger and better things to come for Burnham, says Shone". 19 July 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  2. ^ A brief history of Burnham FC Archived 23 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine Burnham Football Club and Conference Centre
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i BURNHAM at the Football Club History Database
  4. ^ BURNHAM & HILLINGDON at the Football Club History Database
  5. ^ "Gary Reeves set to replace Bob Breen as chairman of Burnham FC / Local Berkshire / Sport / Football". Localberkshire.co.uk. 23 May 2013. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  6. ^ "Gary Meakin Takes Over at Burnham". NonLeagueBet.co.uk. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  7. ^ "FIRST TEAM MANAGER PARTS COMPANY WITH THE BLUES - Burnham Football Club". Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  8. ^ The Evo-Stik League Southern (5 December 2014). "Burnham appoint Gordon and Risbridger as Joint Managers | The Evo-Stik League Southern". Southern-football-league.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Tuttle takes over from Mulvaney as Burnham FC manager". Archived from the original on 23 November 2015.
  10. ^ "Action from final midweek matches | the Evo-Stik League Southern". Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Burnham FC relegated from the Southern League after home defeat to Didcot Town FC | Burnham FC | News on the club and match reports for Burnham FC". Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  12. ^ "Football Club History Database – Burnham". www.fchd.info. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Reeves says Burnham FC will come back stronger from back-to-back relegations | Burnham FC | News on the club and match reports for Burnham FC". Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Reeves says Burnham FC will come back stronger from back-to-back relegations | Burnham FC | News on the club and match reports for Burnham FC". Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  15. ^ "Burnham FC appeal Southern League's decision not to hand them a reprieve from relegation | Burnham FC | News on the club and match reports for Burnham FC". Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Thame United 8 vs. 1 Burnham – 2 August 2016 – First Team – Burnham Football Club". www.pitchero.com. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Burnham FC humiliated by Thame United on Hellenic League return". 3 August 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Thatcham fire 11 past Burnham in dominant display | Newbury and Thatcham Observer". Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  19. ^ "Hellenic League: Thatcham Town score 11 in victory over Burnham". BBC. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  20. ^ Richardson, Presented by James; Glendenning, produced by Ben Green; with Barry; Burnton, Simon; Macintosh, Iain; Lowe, Sid (5 September 2016). "Sam Allardyce's winning start and the return of Luther Blissett – Football Weekly". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 September 2018 – via www.theguardian.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Former Watford striker Gifton Noel-Williams named new Burnham FC manager". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Burnham FC: Gifton Noel-Williams stands down as Blues manager". Slough Observer. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Burnham part company with Gifton Noel-Williams". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Blissett takes control as Noel-Williams departs from Burnham". Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. ^ "Blissett blindsided as Burnham FC bring in Betts and Palmer to save club from relegation". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  26. ^ Luther Blissett [@LBliss8] (11 January 2017). "Allegedly President has appointed @sloughtownfc Mark Betts & signed 15 new players this morn. B4 even c…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Burnham FC [@FC_Burnham] (11 January 2017). "Burnham FC are pleased to announce today that Mark Betts and Jon Palmer are the new joint managers of Burnham FC A full statement is on web" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Burnham FC [@FC_Burnham] (11 January 2017). "The club would like to thank Luther Blissett for all his hard work whilst taking temporary control of the first team" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Betts willing to talk about Burnham future but joint manager Palmer is set to leave". Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  30. ^ "Uhlsport Hellenic Football League – Club Details – Index". www.hellenicleague.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Tonight FC Entertain Burnham – Aylesbury FC". Pitchero.com. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  32. ^ Robinson, Matt (6 December 2010). "Burnham seeking permission for 3G pitch – Hungerford Town Football Club". Pitchero.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  33. ^ "Football round-up: Burnham FC are champions | Burnham FC | News on the club and match reports for Burnham FC". Maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Honours Archived 18 January 2013 at archive.today Burnham Football Club and Conference Centre
  35. ^ "Finals". Stccc.org.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2015.

Sources

[edit]
  • Burnham at the Football Club History Database
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51°32′16″N 0°40′0″W / 51.53778°N 0.66667°W / 51.53778; -0.66667

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