News & Information

The Beginning of Framlingham Town Football Club

'Framlingham Town is one of the biggest clubs in the Senior Division . . .'

Framlingham Town Football Club was founded back in 1887. The clubs first ground was a piece of land called Dickson's Meadow, the next home was Brunnings Meadow, both pieces of land are now part of the Framlingham College complex, then moving onto The Red House Farm before setting up on the Hayning's Meadow (now known as the Pageant Field) in 1932.

The football club is a member Framlingham Sports Club that was formed after the war. The club started playing football on the present piece of land in 1951 when sixteen acres of land was purchased for £1,000. In the mid 1950's, six acres of land was sold off for building. The main pitch, home to the 1st team, was purchased in 1982, the final cost of the 5 acre piece of land and the cost of draining came to £17,500. At least 90% of all money required to purchase the land, erect the buildings and purchase the machinery has been raised by the Sports Club.

During its 113 years of football, the club has played in various leagues starting in the early years in the Ipswich And District then the Framlingham League and progressed through the Leiston League, Woodbridge League and then moving back into the Ipswich Leagues. As mentioned earlier the ground has been extended and now has 3 senior pitches, one full size junior pitch and an under ten 7-a-side pitch. The club house has four changing rooms each with showers, an officials changing room, toilets, kitchen and bar. Adjoining the 1st team pitch that is equipped with floodlights, is a new pavilion that houses changing rooms, stand and committee room.

For training there is a floodlight pitch that is extremely well used by the now 9 teams that make up the club. The senior teams train on Tuesdays.

The success of any club is dependant, in a lot of respect, on the hard work and endeavours of its committee. Framlingham Town Football Club is one of the biggest clubs in the Senior Division and facilities we have are a tribute to hard labours of the active members of committee past and present. Their hard work here is evident by the standards being achieved in all areas of the club's business, from our facilities, the professional way the teams are managed, the playing surfaces of all the pitches and and also the welcome you receive on any occasion.

Some of the appointed members of the committee will be known and respected by many in the Suffolk footballing fraternity. Our president is Bryan Parker. Bryan is celebrating 48 years association with the club this year, eleven of those he was club chairman and approximately 18 years as the treasurer. Syd Vice is our life Vice President and Treasurer. Syd has been involved with the club for 53 years and was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 1991. Fiona Whatling is the club Secretary and has held this position for the last 39 years. Fiona has been with the club for 40 years and won the Senior Secretary of the Year award for the 1991/92 , 2004/05 and the 2005/06 seasons. She was also awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 1998. Our club Chairman is Geoffrey Mayhew who is also well known for his work on other committees in the community.

Lastly our Head Groundsman is Kevin Arbon who this year won us 3rd in the National Final of the Groundsman of The Year competition. This is a reflection of all his hard work for FTFC at Badingham Road, which the club is eternally grateful.