Lincolnshire (52597)

John Stark, 16 Hurst Lane, Bottesford, Scunthorpe, DN17 2ST

Ian White

Birch Park, Ontario Road, Bottesford, Scunthorpe

Exit M180 via M181-Scunthorpe. At circle (Berkeley Hotel), turn right into Scotter Road. At circle (Asda) straight ahead, 2nd left into South Park road then on to Sunningdale Road, turn right into Goodwood Road, Birch Park at end (right turn).

Blue and Yellow Trim Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks

Red and Black Trim Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

The club was formed in 1974 when another local team, Gunness F. C. dropped out of the Lincolnshire League providing anng for Bottesford to apply and be accepted. The team's initial headquarters were based at the Dolphin Pub with football being played at the local Frederick Gough School. Bottesford moved to Birch Park, the present day facility, in 1983 which was jointly developed with Poachers FC., a local Sunday League club. Since the clubs formation it has boasted several ex-Scunthorpe United players who have helped in taking the club forward and in the development of younger players.

The senior club experienced its most successful football in the early 1990's, winning the Lincolnshire League competition in 1989/90, 90/91 and 91/92. Other successes include Cup winners in 1987, 1888 and 1990. Bottesford F .C. operates with two teams playing in the 1st and 2nd divisions of the Scunthorpe and District League together with an U18 side playing in the Lincolnshire Sunday Intermediate League. Last year saw the amalgamation of the junior and senior sections of the club with 11 junior teams ranging from under 6's up to 16 year olds now associated with Bottesford Town. The move to the Central Midlands League has proved the club can progress up the non-league ladder and provide more opportunity for local players to progress in football, by us gaining promotion from the Premier Division to the Supreme Division in only our first season.

We are a forward-looking club with a forward-looking team of players and officials, and we hope to progress even further over the next few years. Over the past two years we have increased our main ground by some 10 yards to make it one of the largest pitches in the North of England, we have also built 2 more grounds within our own complex to benefit our Junior Football Teams.

Our club is currently looking to increase our sponsorship base now that we have our senior team playing in the "Football Pyramid", and, that with 20 junior teams we are now classed as a "Community Club" within the Football Association and are the largest club in the locality.

As the senior team endeavour to progress up the "pyramid", there is an ever increasing need to develop our facilities on our main pitch. We have already had to take measures to prevent unauthorised access and have a spectator standing area. We are now looking at new changing facilities, which must be inside the ground and at a cost in tens of thousands of pounds. In the future we shall have to erect a new stand with over 250 seats

Our junior teams continue to thrive. They now have a drainage system installed on their large pitch after much hard labour by team managers. They also have lights under which they can train outdoors during the winter. Professional coaching has been supplied by Sheffield United and Leeds United, with specialised goalkeeper training now under way.

Poachers Football Club amalgamated with Bottesford Town Football Club in 2003 and have adopted the nickname of "The Poachers". The Sunday club will initially be called Bottesford Poachers Football Club and will run three men's teams in the Deejays Sunday League.

Our aim is to develop the club in a more professional manner and make a determined effort to succeed both on and off the field.