More Recently

Most recently under Leigh White’s management the team gained promotion back to the County League Premier Division in the 2022/23 season. Leigh took control of the 1st team part way through the 2018/19 season but too late to prevent them being relegated to division 1. Leigh and his coaching team built slowly and frustratingly (through the abandoned Covid seasons) eventually putting the team together that gained much respect and promotion.

2022-23

1st team Promoted back to County League Premier Division.

 

 

 The ‘Smudge’ Era 2011 – 2016

With the team in the doldrums having finished bottom of the league in the 2010/11 season Alan (Smudge) Smith, who was entirely over qualified, was somehow persuaded to take over running the 1st team. With his excellenct back room team of Lee Probert, Colin Clark, Richard Lucas & Gary Rickets they took the team on a heck of a journey starting with promotion in their very 1st season. Promotions, fun by the bucket load and the arrival of some very good players (including local hero Graham ‘Chopper’ Cheeseman an and current manager Leigh White) was to follow This culminated with the team sat comfortably in the top division and a cup final win in the 2015/16 season. Smudge left at this point having given the Club a much needed boost that would last for years to come.

Photo with the cup we’d just won Gary Rickets, Colin Clark, ‘Smudge’ and Richard Lucas.

2015/2016

First team: Somerset County League Cup Winners.

2013/2014

First team: Runners Up Division 1 promoted to Premier Division of Somerset County League

 

Reserves: Promoted to Division 3 Weston District League

Looking back…

Following their formation in 1889 as Wrington AFC, Wrington Redhill FC are this 2013/14 season celebrating their 125 year anniversary, a remarkable achievement for a village club? The Club are pleased to announce that they are holding a Gala evening including dinner to celebrate their 125 year anniversary at the Cadbury House Frost Hill Congresbury on 1st March 2014.

The original Wrington AFC played mainly against local opponents, travel being a major factor in those days but by the 1920’s the Cheddar Valley League had been formed with Wrington crowned as champions in 1928 a feat repeated again nearly fifty years later in 1977. After the Second World War the club continued to prosper under the Chairmanship of Colonel J.M. Lee and joined the Bristol and District League finishing as champions at the end of the 1950/1951 season with an impressive record of played 34 won 29 drawn 3 and lost only 2 with a goal average of 174 for and 43 against.

The pressures of travel coupled with the emerging strength of the Bristol teams caused the club to join the Weston and District League returning to the Cheddar Valley Sunday League in 1975.

Redhill AFC were formed in 1970 and fielded both Saturday and Sunday first team and reserve sides in various local District leagues, many of the players turning out for neighbours Wrington when not playing for Redhill and vice versa. In 1989 the decision was taken to amalgamate both clubs forming Wrington Redhill FC which is where we are today. In total, prior to amalgamation, a number of 350 players played for Redhill with 14 playing 200 or more games. Four players are recorded as scoring 100 goals or more for the club with club legend and Redhill man Paul Burn scoring an incredible 161 goals in only 111 appearances. Both teams were originally comprised of locally based players but continued to attract those from farther afield, this along with amalgamation has proved a great success and has led to where the club is today.

The club plays in the centre of Wrington village at The Recreation Ground which is a multi- purpose field that really does feel like the centre of village life and is very much at the heart of the community. On the far side of the field are eight poplar trees, a memorial to those villagers killed forty years ago when a flight from Bristol Airport to Basle crashed in the Swiss Alps, the community and club continue to support their memory. Many names have been associated with both clubs over the years the majority being local players and officials with generations of families and roots firmly embedded within the footballing history.

Roy Hillman was the most successful Wrington Redhill manager to date taking over in 1983 and later becoming club President. Roy was assistant manager to Bob Mursell at Forest Green Rovers when they won the FA Vase appearing at Wembley in 1982. He took over as Forest Green manager the following season after Bob’s departure. Roy was much respected within the region and his experience and wealth of knowledge within the football world was invaluable when he finally came home to Wrington to support the local club. Dave Moss signed for Norwich City and was the goalkeeping deputy to the number one Kevin Keelan. He played for a number of non- league clubs throughout his career but was a Wrington stalwart and took over as joint manager of the 1st team with Simon Bull after Roy Hillman.

He played for Forest Green Rovers in the FA Vase/Trophy in 1982 under Roy Hillman. He also played for Bristol Rovers Reserves at the old Eastville Stadium. Dave still lives locally and regularly attends Wrington Redhill games. Dennis Chard played in the 1940’s and is the grandfather of current players Neil and Mark Andow. Others are Ken Steadman and Rob Edmunds who played in the 1970’s and have grandsons playing reserve team football today. Other key people involved with the clubs are Alan Garrett, and John Clements, all ex- players or later long standing committee members. Roy Hillman and Brian Bull sadly passed away this year but will be long remembered.

There are many more names that can be attributed to both clubs over the years too numerous to mention but are recorded for posterity on the club website www.wringtonfc.co.uk The current club is under the Chairmanship of Nick Finch and Jane Moss who warmly welcome all to the Recreation Ground. Both look forward to continued support for the future for this excellent local community based football club. To join in the celebrations of the 125 season and beyond come on down to The Rec and sample what is on offer. We also have a loyal band of travelling support which is the envy of the league.