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Club Records
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Harwell Village Football Club
Harwell Village Football Club is the oldest club within the North Berks League being formed in 1886. It joined the recently formed North Berks League in 1912 / 13 and were crowned Champions the following season beating Radley in a play off Since that time the Club has gone on to win all the major honours in the local football scene at both 1st and Reserve team level and the roll of honour at present stands at: League Champions 7 times North Berks Cup 9 times Charity Shield 9 times War Memorial Cup once AG Kingham Cup 5 times League Cup twice Reading Senior Cup Once Didcot Festival Cup 6 times Berks & Bucks Intermediate Finalists 3 times Linesman of the Year 4 times L Jefferies, R McGibbon, R East R Dodd Secretary of the Year once C. S. East
Plus numerous six a side tournaments including the North Berks Nairne Paule & Reserve section in the same year 1972 a year where the Club won no less than 18 trophies including for the first time the North Berks Cup. This trophy had always eluded the Club after it was alledged to have been cursed by a travelling gypsy, perhaps that was the year when the gypsy died. Many villagers have played for the Club during its history and coupled with a regular input of other local players have always been able to maintain a successful club both on and off the pitch. Since the glory days of the 70’s the club continued to compete within North Berks with mixed success winning the Reading Senior Cup in 1992 and reaching the final of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup Final the same year. Back in the fifties and sixties such villagers as Tubby Leach , Bryan Cummings, Ted Ireson ,Derek Moore, Tommy Frost, Dennis Wilkes ,Bob Hilton and of course Bill Connolly were prominent players and Tubby ‘s nephew appeared in a winning Hagbourne six a side team in 1955 , he later went on to England and Leeds fame Yes Jack Charlton ! During the 70’s and into the 80’s other village lads came through which included Tony King ,Geoff Lacey, Ray Hinchliffe, Dick Pateman and the present Club President Mickey Samways.It was during this period that six a side football became very popular of which Harwell not only ran its own but also competed in and won many others especially around the Swindon area . During all this time one man became associated with Harwell more than anyone before or after and that was Fred Luker. Anyone who ever played for the village will have his own story to tell about Fred his wife Kitty , daughter Kath or even Buster the dog . He was a Legend in the true sense of the word and there is a plaque to his memory installed on the pavilion wall . In 2003 the club sadly were not able to enter a team into the North Berks League for the first time in its history and the future looked bleak but fortunately thanks to fresh blood, enthusiasm and a new committee re entered the following season and within 4 seasons has re-established itself back within the top division , a reserve team which is flourishing and a future that now looks much brighter . Charlie East Club Secretary |
