Honours & Achievements

Supporters Direct Shield - Winners 10-11

Northern Counties East League Division One - Champions 08-09

NCEL President's Cup - Finalists 08-09

North Riding Senior Cup - Semi-Finalists 07-08

Programme of the Year - 07-08 NCEL Division One - Programme Monthly Magazine & Soccer Club Swap Shop. 08-09 NCEL Division One & 12th nationally in non-league football - Soccer Club Swap Shop

Scarborough Athletic FC - The History so far...  

By Will Baines 

Scarborough Athletic Football Club was formed on 25th June 2007 following the liquidation of Scarborough FC. The new club was set up by the Seadog Trust, a group of supporters who originally started the trust with the aim of gaining fan representation on the board of Scarborough FC.

However, as a result of the old club’s liquidation, the Seadog Trust moved quickly to ensure a football team continued to represent the town at the highest level possible. On 25th June 2007, Scarborough Athletic were accepted into the NCEL Division 1 for the 2007-2008 season, and an agreement was reached for the club to use Bridlington’s Queensgate stadium as part of a ground share with no suitable stadium able to be used in Scarborough.

The Trust moved quickly to appoint the experienced Brian France as team manager. Brian’s credentials as former manager of North Ferriby United were second to none, and he brought with him his son Darren as his assistant, formerly a striker with league clubs Hull City and Doncaster Rovers. Brian started to bring in players for the forthcoming season, favouring a mix of players from his former club, as well as some local players unearthed at an open trial held within days of the club’s formation.

A training game against Edgehill at Hunmanby’s Sands Lane Ground finished 0-0 in front of 300 fans, before the club’s first full fixture – a friendly at Northallerton Town. The match finished as a 2-2 draw, with Shaun Chadburn taking the honour of the club’s first ever goal. The club’s first pre-season was encouraging, with emphatic victories over Bridlington Town and Sutton Town, which meant many of the club’s fans were cautiously optimistic of the team’s chances in their first ever campaign.

The team’s first ever competitive match came in the Northern East Counties League Division One away at Teversal on August 11th 2007. Boro fans marked the occasion by dressing up in suits to show their status of co-owners of the club through their membership of the Seadog Trust. Dave Thompson entered himself into the history books as he netted the club’s first competitive goal, but a last minute winner saw Teversal claim a 2-1 win. Despite this setback, Athletic fans did not have to wait long for the club’s first league victory, as just a week later the team produced a much improved display to register a 4-1 win over Leeds Met Carnegie.

The team’s first few weeks in existence saw its elimination from several cup competitions, coupled with inconsistent league form. The losses could have caused some fans to lose faith, but the club’s supporters continued to support the team in huge numbers, setting attendance records wherever they went. Highlights from the first season included an 8-0 thumping of Borrowash Victoria and the club winning through to the North Riding Senior Cup Semi Final. The club occupied a top 6 position in the league table for much of the season as they eventually finished in 5th place. The team’s performance impressed the Trust board enough for them to offer Brian France a new two year deal, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Off the pitch, the club’s first season saw much work from volunteers to keep the club going. A supporters’ club was set up, attendances remained high and democratic elections were run in order to elect a new board for the club.

The 2008-2009 season saw the club claim its first promotion and championship. Things did not look good as the team only registered one victory during pre season, and suffered a slow start to the league season, claiming just one point from their first two fixtures. But from this poor start, Boro went on a tremendous run of form, winning game after game with a series of convincing scorelines, such as a 7-0 victory over Tadcaster Albion in mid-October and consecutive 6-1 wins in the league over Appleby Frodingham and Barton. As well as starting to dominate the league, the club also progressed in national cup competition the FA Vase.

After a first victory over Birtley Town to qualify for the main draw, the team then registered wins over Esh Winning, Sunderland Nissan and a crushing 6-1 victory over Blackstones, which led to a trip down to Bideford in North Devon in the fourth round. Around 300 Boro fans made the trip, creating a magnificent atmosphere. But despite dominating the second half, Boro failed to find an equaliser and went down to a 1-0 defeat.

However this did not throw the team off, as they continued their impressive performances in the league and Presidents Cup. Promotion was achieved with a 2-1 win at Teversal on March 21st, with the championship secured a week later at home against Brighouse Town. Nearly 800 were in attendance to see the club lift the league trophy after the game against Leeds Carnegie on April 18th. The club still had the chance of a league and cup double, but the side finished the season as beaten finalists in the President's Cup after a 3-2 aggregate loss to Nostell Miners Welfare.

There was also progression off the field as a link-up with the town's successful Scarborough Ladies FC team began - the club sponsoring the Ladies' under-12s side and co-opting the Ladies' secretary onto the club board. A Reserves side was also set-up to play in the Humber Premier League.

Promotion to the Northern Counties East Premier Division in such convincing fashion meant fans started the new season looking for the club to challenge for a second successive promotion. The season started badly, with an opening day loss to Nostell, followed up with another loss at Lincoln Moorlands Railway. However, the team regrouped and produced a remarkable run of 9 successive wins, which saw the team and its fans dreaming of more silverware.

However, a 4-3 loss away at Parkgate was the start of a collapse in the team’s away form. Despite excellent home form throughout the season, promotion proved too much this year. Notable performances included a penalty shoot out win over Whitby Town from the league above in the North Riding Senior Cup and a remarkable 13-0 win against Brodsworth – the highest league win of any senior Scarborough football side ever, and a new NCEL premier division record.

The team finished the season in an encouraging 5th place, with a title push expected in 2010-11. The contract of manager Brian France was again extended, this time a one year deal with much expected from the team in the forthcoming year. Developments during the season off the pitch included the partnership between the club and Scarborough Ladies becoming official, with an aim to work together in the local community for the benefit of both clubs. The reserve side also made the return back to the Borough of Scarborough – and will be playing their home games in the Humber Premier League in Filey Community Sports Ground in 10-11.

The club also launched was the Back2Boro fund in late 2009, which looked to continue to raise awareness of the club’s lack of permanent home, and to raise funds to help finance the return home to the borough of Scarborough. As the new season began talks with Scarborough Borough Council had progressed around the development of a Sports Village, including a new football stadium, in the Weaponness Valley area of the town. The club hope this positive move could see them back in Scarborough over the course of the next few years.

2010-11 began with much promise, but a huge blow was suffered when manager Brian France was hit in the face with the ball from point blank range at Liversedge, and later suffered a brain haemorrage from the injury sustained.

As the weeks went on it was clear Brian was going to be unable to continue, and Paul Olsson took over as manager in November 2010, after a good run of results and successful interview.