1905:
BURNHAM ALBION
1907
The Burnham Gazette of 25th May 1907 reported on the annual dinner of Burnham Albion Football Club (Hon. Secretary W.H. Luxon).
Other reports of games in the same journal during 1906 -7 named a number of players:
BURNHAM UNITED
1914
1921-22
1926-27
A retrospective article in the Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News (date unknown) described this team as “possibly the most successful football side Burnham United have fielded in their 75 year history. This smart looking side swept the boiard in the 1926-27 season – winning the Weston League Division One, the Weston Knockout Cup and the Weston Charity Cup.
1963-6 The Reformation of Burnham United (account by John Ingram).
1976
Back Row: Rich Haines (manager); Nigel Picton; Kim Brockhurst; Alan Coombes; Karl Bidgood; Ian McKen; Gavin Morris. Front Row: Nigel Streeter; Derrick Mullins; Richard Coulson; Trevor Ford; Bob Peace.
1980’s
Back Row: Nick Burke (joint manager); Bob Skidmore; Clive Fursland; Dave Brooks; Chris Hembery; Roger Broom; Rich Haines (joint manager). Front Row: Justin Burke (mascot); Derrick Mullins; Richard larance; Bob arson; Mike Driscoll; Bob Peace; Nicky Clarke.
Hi again Guys.
Research has now reached 1919 and Burnham and Highbridge RFC are playing on the Love Lane ground and enjoying a good start after the Great War.
Hi Kerry,
I can remember there being fields of grass in the area where St Peter’s road , Salisbury road is now. I don’t remember them being used for football but I do remember watching a motor bike scrambling event there.
I will ask some of my colleagues if they know more.
John
Thanks for all this guys. Since posting I have done some further research and have just chalked off another sports venue – Coronation Field in Oxford Street which was a football and cricket ground more or less where Lidl’s is now. Any ideas when it ceased to be a sports field ?
I have the bound volumes of the Bridgwater Mercury from 1897 to 1935 here at home at the moment and although Burnham news is sometimes thin, if anybody has anything they would like researched, if I can I will.
Hello Kerry,
Coronation Field was where St Andrews School is now – off Dunston Road and behind the east side houses in Kingsway Road. It was so called because that is where the town’s residents gathered for each of the coronations. It later became used by the USA army and was left as a waste ground. I can remember using it for motorbike scrambling in my early teens.
There was also a sports ground at what was Pillsmouth Farm. Have a look under Technical School.
John
I am researching sport using the Bridgwater Mercury and in 1896 Burnham Albions FC were said to be playing on a meadow opposite Helen’s Cottages in the town. Does anyone know where they were, or are by any chance?
I shall continue to post on here anything I find that is relevant
Hello Kerry,
I know St Dunstan’s school sports field was near what is now Rectory Road area. We have had several comments posted of ex pupils and you can read their comments via this link. http://www.captureburnham.co.uk/landmarks/schools/st-dunstans-school. there were several schools in this area so it might have been one of these sports fields. I do have more to add about these schools and also early sports team members so please keep an eye for updates.
It might be that more information is posted there about this school.
I hope this helps and thanks for your interest.
John
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for your comment. I would like to add to John’s reply that I have consulted colleagues in the Local History Group and we wonder whether ‘Helen’s Cottages’ is in fact ‘Ellen’s Cottages’, the alms houses on the Berrow Rd, opposite the end of Stoddens Rd (see the ‘Places’ menu on this site). The land opposite would have still been open land in the 1890’s. We would welcome further information from you as your research continues.