In 1982 Basingstoke Football Club were playing regularly as a team, When the Hampshire League was founded in 1896/97, Basingstoke Albion - along with Aldworth United - joined forces to create Basingstoke Town Football Club with a view to playing competitive fixtures. In 1901, the club joined the Hampshire League. Then, in the 1909/10 season, the North Hants Ironworks decided to add their players to Basingstoke Town FC. This merger produced early dividends as the newly constituted club won the North Division of the Hampshire League in the 1911/12 season and in the 1919/20 season. The lease for the camrose runs until 2045 was given by the late 2nd Viscount Camrose and he became the patron of Basingstoke Town F.C. The ground in now named in his honour, and is the official registered address of Basingstoke Town Football & Social Club Ltd. The 60's was a better period for the Camrose club, and finished Runners-Up in the First Division of the Hampshire League in the seasons 1965/66 and 1966/67, paving the way for a Championship win in 1967/68. Basingstoke were Runners-up again in 1968/69 and achieved back-to-back Championships in the 1969/70 and 1970/71 seasons, the 70/71 without a league defeat, culminating with a victory in the Hampshire Senior Cup Final for the first time, making it a very creditable season. The club joined The Southern League in 1971/72 and in it's first season finished in 8th position in the Southern Division. The highlight of the season was reaching the 1st Round Proper of the F.A. Cup, for the first time, when a then record attendance of 3,400 saw Northampton Town F.C. emerge as the 5-1 victors. After winning the Southern League, South Division in the season 1984/85, the club transferred into The Isthmian League, currently sponsored by RYMAN. Relegation in 1987/88 was followed by a quick return to the Premier Division for the 1988/89 season, with the club making its first-ever appearance in the F.A. Trophy 1st Round, only to lose 5-3 in a replay to Kettering Town after a 1-1 draw at The Camrose. More excitement was to come in 1989/90 season when the club reached the 2nd Round of the F.A. Cup for the first time. Torquay United were the attraction on December 9th 1989, and another record crowd of 4,091 packed into The Camrose to see 'Stoke edged out of the Cup, losing 2-3. The season was brought to a close with an 8th position in the league, which was further complemented by an 8-0 victory at The Dell over Lymington Town to win The Hampshire Senior Cup. The next few seasons were a struggle, apart from another appearance in the 1st Round of the F.A. Trophy on January 9th 1993 against Kingstonian F.C., who ran out 4-1 victors. The ensuing relegation in the 1993/94 season to Division 1 was a sad refection of the times. Basingstoke, with Ernie Howe (ex Q.P.R., Fulham & Portsmouth) now at the helm as manager, began to bring about the establishment of a more resolute staff both on and off the field in the 1994/95 season. Finishing 7th in Division 1 was a stepping stone and winning the Hampshire Senior Cup a year later in the 1995/96 season was another confidence-booster for the club, although too many drawn games prevented any chance of a realistic promotion bid. 1996/97 became a season to savour with Town setting the early pace in the league. Fifteen games without defeat was a formidable start, but the high drama down the finishing straight would have shaken the nerve-ends of any good supporter. Nevertheless, the Camrose "Blue Army" of supporters increased with our race for the Championship, and taking the runners-up spot and thus gaining promotion to the Premier Division was a sheer delight for all at the club. It did not end there. Another trip to The Dell, home of Southampton F.C. for a return match against Waterlooville F.C. ended with Basingstoke lifting their second successive Hampshire Senior Cup, with the same 2-0 scoreline. The 1997/98 season has become recognised as the Club's finest season. November 15th 1997 saw Basingstoke travel to Adams Park to play Nationwide Division 2 outfit Wycombe Wanderers in the 1st Round of the F.A. Cup. A spirited performance saw them fight back from a 2-0 deficit and earn a memorable draw. The replay, which took place at The Camrose on 25th November 1997 , was probably the club's greatest night. A new record attendance of 5,085 saw the Basingstoke heroes twice overcome a goal deficit to become Giant-Killers as Wycombe Wanderers were beaten 5-4 in a penalty shoot out - this after 210 minutes of football had failed to separate the teams with a 2-2 draw. Next it was Northampton Town in the 2nd Round of The F.A. Cup and another away tie took the Camrose "Blue" Army to the Sixfields Community Stadium, where they held the 2nd Division Club to a 1-1 draw. This enabled the Club to stage a match at The Camrose in front of the live Sky Sports Cameras, with the whole of the country viewing the drama from their armchairs. On a night of antartic proportions, Basingstoke produced a performance to keep every one of the 4,933 crowd - who braved the elements - warm, and they deserved more than more than the final result. Goalless at full time, and also after 30 minutes extra-time, with most of the chances falling to the home side, there was predictably an air of anticipation and deja-vu around the Camrose as the game went to a penalty shoot-out, but although Northampton missed their first spot kick, there was to be no repeat performance, and Basingstoke were unlucky to go out 3-4 on penalties. The night of 16th December 1997 will be well remembered above all for the quote by SKY SPORTS’ Andy Gray, who enthused: "I thought Basingstoke were the better team for most of the match. Northampton’s keeper kept them in the game. I have nothing but admiration for Basingstoke Town." A fine second half to the season, yielded just four league defeats from the last 21 matches, enabling Ernie Howe and his side to finish in a creditable 8th place, thus equalling the previous highest placing. This performance owes a lot to the management and players, who were always well supported in their return to the Premier Division. Despite going down 4-1 in their first-ever Puma Full Members Cup Final to a lively Hendon side, who deserved their victory on the night, the club’s participation in the 69-match season was nevertheless another fine honour in an outstanding season. Further recognition was to follow, as the Club was awarded "The Umbro Fair Play Award" and the "Barry East Trophy" for the 1997-98 season. Notwithstanding the numerous achievements of the past year, the 1997-98 season will go down as the season which put Basingstoke Town F.C. firmly on the footballing map of Britain. 1998/1999 became a season of frustration for the fans and management alike, the high points were reaching the FA Cup First round Proper before unluckily going 2-1 to AFC Bournemouth in front of a 3,380 crowd, also the Youth Team reached the same round for the first time in their history going 2-1 to Hinkley Utd. Again the club reached the Hampshire Senior Cup Final at "The Dell" this time losing out to Aldershot Town 1-0 in the 90th minute winner. After promising much, the team’s final league position was 8th the same as last season. Now, with the year 2000 in sight, the Club’s ambition is to move on, and make Basingstoke Town a force to be reckoned with in non-league football. With the good and valued support of the community and local businesses, a programme of improvements at The Camrose is being implemented to ensure that when the opportunity to progress arises, the Town will be ready to grasp it with both hands. Back To Index