Hallen A.F.C.

Hallen
Full name Hallen Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s) The Armadillos
Founded 1949 (as Lawrence Weston Athletic)
Ground The Hallen Centre, Hallen
Ground Capacity 2,000
Chairman Lee Fairman
Manager Tom Collett
League Western League Premier Division
2015–16 Western League Premier Division, 17th

Hallen A.F.C. is a non league football club based in Hallen, near Bristol, England. They are currently members of the Western League Premier Division and play at the Hallen Centre. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.

History

The club was established in 1949 as Lawrence Weston Athletic, playing their early years in the Bristol and District League and then the Bristol Premier Combination.[1]

In 1979, they moved to Hallen, changing their name to Lawrence Weston Hallen. The facilities available at their new base enabled them to move up to the Gloucestershire County League in 1987. Three years later, they changed their name again, to simply Hallen.[1]

In 1992 they gained a further promotion, joining the Hellenic League Division One, and after further improvements to the facilities (particularly the erection of floodlights and a all seater stand), a runner-up position in 1996–97 led to another step up, to the Hellenic League Premier Division.

After three seasons in the Hellenic League Premier, they were granted permission to switch to the Western League, but had to take an effective demotion to that league's Division One. They were champions of that division in 2003–04,[2] meaning they took their place in the Western League Premier Division, where they remain to this day.

They have been entering the FA Vase since 1983 – their best run coming in 2000–01 when they reached the Fifth Round (last 16).[3]

Their FA Cup history only dates back to 2002–03, but in 2004–05 they came close to making the competition proper, losing in the Fourth Qualifying Round to Football Conference side Canvey Island.[1]

Season 2009–10 they were winners of the Western League Les Phillips League Cup defeating Bishop Sutton 1–0 in the final.

In 2014 they won the Gloucestershire Challenge Trophy for the third time.[4]

In the summer of 2015 the club fought a well publicised battle with the Parish Council who own the land on which the ground sits and who wanted the club to leave. The club were successful in keeping their ground and in the process saw a petition signed by nearly 6000 people help their cause along with many famous sportsman showing their support along with much national and international press interest.[5][6]

2015-2016 has seen Steve Winter (ex pro at Walsall, Torquay and Forest Green) in charge of the 1st team and ex player Lee Fairman takeover as Chairman of the club.

The club also has a thriving youth set up with 2015 producing two youth players signing contracts with Southampton FC, one with Bristol City FC and another 16 year old signing professional terms with Bristol City FC.

Honours

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Hallen are in rude health as they approach 60th birthday celebrations". Bristol Post. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  2. "Western League". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  3. "2000-01 F.A. Vase". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  4. "GFA County Cup Winners 2014". Glucestershire FA. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  5. "Hallen Football Club to fold after council closes ground". ITV. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  6. Yong, Michael (24 June 2015). "Hallen Football Club given lifeline with discovery of new 20-year-old agreement document". Bristol Post. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  7. Hallen at the Football Club History Database

External links

Coordinates: 51°31′01.72″N 2°39′09.16″W / 51.5171444°N 2.6525444°W / 51.5171444; -2.6525444

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