| PEPPARD FOOTBALL CLUB was founded in 1903 and played village football for 60 years, waiting until 1962 to win their first trophy � the Reading Junior Cup. Only during the 70�s did Peppard emerge as a major force. The double of Reading and District League Championship and Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup was achieved in 1975 and as a result Peppard were upgraded to Senior status by the O.F.A. and have competed in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup ever since. Between 1975 and 1982 the Reading and District League Championship was won five times. During this purple period the Club won the Oxfordshire Senior Cup in 1980 beating by 3 � 0 an Oxford City team with seven players of Football League experience: a crowd of 900 watched this tremendous game at Witney. In 1982 this triumph was repeated as Peppard defeated neighbours Woodcote 3 � 2 at Oxford City�s old White House ground. 1980 to 1982 saw a hat trick of successes in the Reading Senior Cup Finals. In 1984, Peppard moved to the impressive Bishopswood ground. Reading and District League champions again in 1985 and 1987, the club moved into the Chiltonian League in 1987 where in five seasons Peppard always finished in the first three, lifting the Championship in 1991 and 1992. The Bon Accord Trophy (League Cup) was won on four occasions. During this time Peppard also won the Reading Senior Cup in 1990, 1991 and 1992. On two further occasions, the Oxfordshire Senior Cup Final has been reached before losing to the young professionals of Oxford United in 1990 and Witney Town in 1994. A record 1991-92 season when the club won nine trophies preceded promotion via the pyramid structure to the Combined Counties League where Peppard took the championship at the first attempt by 18 clear points. The reserves also won their league title by 12 clear points as well as winning the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup. However, the 1993-94 season eclipsed all that had gone before as Peppard made a clean sweep of all five CCL trophies � the League Championship, the League Cup, the League Vase, the Reserve Section Championship and the Reserve Section Cup. The First Eleven record of 53 victories in 58 competitive games scoring 175 goals is probably without parallel. The CCL vase was won again in 1994-95. The 1995-96 season proved to be a recurring nightmare. Despite finishing in third place, the planning consents required to meet strict ground requirements within CCL were fraught with delays when after two refusals they were ultimately received, contained impossible conditions that left too little time for implementation. As a result, the CCL would not renew our membership and we have returned to the Chiltonian League for the last four years. In 1998-99, we finished in a creditable second place under the joint managerial team of Kevin Davies and Kevin Watkins, lifting also the new Brian Wells Memorial Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire senior cup. In 1999-2000 following a complete re-building programme by new manager Glenn Duggleby we finished in seventh place and again reached the final of the Brian Wells Cup. The club has won many admirers for its Match Day Programme. Reece Pigden originally set this high standard before being succeeded in turn by Glenn Duggleby and Bob Davies. Chris & Donna Boyles take over the Programme for season 2001/02, so its continued high quality is assured. The summer of 2000 saw the club's fortunes at their lowest ebb with its very survival in question allied to doubts over the future of Bishopswood. Happily all is now resolved and the appointments of Colin Millard and Frank Head who were charged with the revival of our fortunes sees the club in excellent health again. Peppard has always been fortunate in the loyalty, integrity and altruism of its officers. Special mention must be made of the late Harold Long, who served the club for 40 years; Clive Clayton our former Chairman and outstanding leader for eleven years and to his successor Sean Gillett. Chris and Donna Boyles who have overseen our secretarial duties, our finances and have inspired our social functions and of course to Vivian Clayton, who in 2001 celebrates 70 unbroken years with Peppard Football Club culminating with the Presidency since 1976. There is a warm, family feeling about Peppard again thanks to the efforts of the management. The club has again become involved in Sunday League football thanks to the association formed with Shinfield Lions Football Club. This association is already proving financially successful and shows much promise for the years to come. There is a strong belief that this team will be able to mount a serious title challenge in 2001/02. WE WAIT WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION! |
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