A Brief History of Winchester City FC
Winchester City were originally founded in 1891 as Winchester Swallows FC. They became Winchester FC in 1894 and then Winchester City FC in 1907. Winchester played local level football in the Hampshire League until they joined Southern League Division One South for the 1971/72 season. However, the next season they were relegated back to the Hampshire League in which they fell to the third tier in 1979. In 1991/92 Winchester were Division Two (third tier) champions and began their long climb back up the leagues. It took nine seasons to get out of Division One which they did in 2000/01 by winning the division title but it took only two seasons to become Hampshire League champions as they finished top of the Premier Division in 2002/03. Winchester's ascension continued as they joined the Wessex League in 2003/04 and finished as champions as well as winning the FA Vase with a 2-0 win over AFC Sudbury at St Andrews, Birmingham. The Citizens were runners-up in 2004/05 and champions again in 2005/06. They rejoined Southern League Division One (South & West) in 2006/07 but were relegated back to the Wessex League in 2008/09. Winchester won their third Wessex League title in 2011/12 to be promoted back to the Southern League but lasted just one season and were relegated once again. In 2014/15 City were runners-up in the Wessex Premier and were promoted to the Southern League for a fourth time. This time they fared much better with a fifth place finish and qualification for the play-offs after achieving their highest ever league position. However their hopes of promotion ended with a semi final play-off defeat to Banbury United. In 2016/17 Winchester finished in 14th position.

Winchester City FC
The City Ground
Hillier Way
Abbots Barton
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 7SR
Tel: 07768 848905
Website: http://www.winchestercityfc.co.uk
Twitter: @wincityfc

Form Guide
Winchester are having a decent season so far in the Evo-Stik South West. After flying out of the blocks with six wins from their first eight, Winchester then went five games without a win before an injury time Oliver Bailey strike saw them edge past bottom club Bishops Cleeve. A second straight home win came on Tuesday night as a late Jamie Barron penalty gave The Citizens a big three points over Swindon Supermarine and move them up to 6th place (W8 D3 L5). Oliver Bailey is currently second in the scoring charts with 13 league goals and will be one to watch.

Winchester City’s last six (LLDWDW)
21/11/17 Winchester City 3 Swindon Supermarine 2 (League)
18/11/17 Yate Town 1 Winchester City 1 (League)
11/11/17 Winchester City 2 Bishops Cleeve 1 (League)
04/11/17 Cinderford Town 2 Winchester City 2 (League)
27/10/17 Winchester City 4 Salisbury 5 (League)
21/10/17 Taunton Town 4 Winchester City 1 (League)

It’s now just one defeat in nine for Bideford after last week’s 4-1 success over Larkhall Athletic took The Robins up to third place (W9 D2 L4). Stephen Reed has returned from injury and was an unused substitute against Larkhall. Craig Duff and James Mayne will be available once again after serving a one match suspension.

Bideford's last six (WDLDWW)
18/11/17 Bideford 4 Larkhall Athletic 1 (League)
14/11/17 Paulton Rovers 1 Bideford 3 (League)
11/11/17 Bideford 2 Cinderford Town 2 (League)
04/11/17 North Leigh 4 Bideford 3 (League)
31/10/17 Mangotsfield United 1 Bideford 1 (League)
28/10/17 Bideford 3 Slimbridge 1 (League)

Previous meetings
27/02/17 Winchester City 0 Bideford 0 (SL Div 1 S&W)
17/12/16 Bideford 1 Winchester City 2 (SL Div 1 S&W)
2003/04 Winchester City 4 Bideford 0 (FA Vase SF L2)
2003/04 Bideford 3 Winchester City 3 (FA Vase SF L1)

Last season Winchester City left the Sports Ground with all three points in December after a controversial injury time Craig Feeney penalty. The returned fixture at The City Ground in February ended in a 0-0 draw.