The club itself was founded in 1892 and had a rather successful start getting to the final of the Norfolk junior cup two years later, the club itself continued through the years until its next highpoint in 1951-1952 where the junior cup home was bought home after winning it for two consecutive years, capping off the historical era of the club on a high.

The modern era of the club as we know it today started back in 1959 where club legends such as Bob Tuttle, Albert Hudson and Gurney Titmarsh amongst others, purchased the land on behalf of the club for as little as £250.00. Swaffham Town Football Club has been built and is continued to be looked after by good working class families who live in the town and surrounding villages and it’s safe to say we are proud of the legacy left behind of those still with us and those who unfortunately are not.

The original club house itself was located further up the pitch and was a relatively small building containing changing rooms and a tiny area to have a tea after the match. I’m told one of the standout memories of the old club house was the communal team bath that took the whole game to fill up. As time passed the club grew and it was decided to relocate the clubhouse to its position today, at the bottom of the infamous slope. This took place after the late 60’s and into the 70’s and the works were again completed by good local families such as the Leadbetters, Tutle’s, Palmer’s, Hudson’s, Ward’s and the Titmarsh’s and it’s safe to safe that they did a fantastic job.

The club progressed throughout the coming years and became the stable senior outfit it is today, drifting between the two divisions in the then Jewson league and the Thurlow Nunn league as it is known to date under managers such as Lucian hodkinson and Paul hunt. Throughout those years’ memorable characters such as, Jock, Stuart Seales, David Leadbetter, Mark Blockwell and David Spalding have put on the famous black and white stripes.

The highest level the club has ever reached is step 5 in the English footballing pyramid. Today we find ourselves back at step 6 in the Thurlow Nunn First Division where we find ourselves fighting for the Title with one of the most exciting squads I have witnessed down the Lane which has great balance of Youth and Experience! I don’t think I have ever seen a Pedlars outfit score so many goals in my lifetime.

Personally I see the history of the club being in two phases as mentioned above, but I believe we are now entering a third phase under the leadership of Ian Sherwood and his committee. The club is currently going through a modernisation in attempt to align ourselves with those up to speed within leagues above, there really is an ambition to succeed amongst the playing staff and the committee alike and we welcome anyone who wants to get involved with taking, in my opinion, a proper local football club forward.

The club for me has given a lot and I’m certain that it will continue to provide an excellent service for years to come, but modern changes and current teams aside I think that on our 125 birthday year it would be right to thank some simply superb individuals who have made the club what it is today, be it by building clubhouses or simply creating an atmosphere, I’m sorry if I have forgotten anybody but these are the stand out few that are in my mind whilst writing this article.

. Albert Hudson and family - The stand out club legend
. Gurney Titmarsh (RIP) – former Chairman
. Eric Matthews & family – Former player & manager
. Mick Simmons – former player, manager & club chairman
. Bob Tuttle (RIP) & family – For hard work over the years gone by
. Roger Goldsmith – Former club chairman
. The Exley’s – Great servants of the club and the grandchildren our in the youth team today
. The Leadbetter’s – Notably Dave, Steve and family for all their hard work that still isn’t forgotten
. The Palmer’s – Julie, Gerry and Bex have been brilliant servants of the club for years
. The Ward Family – Aaron still drinks down the club and his father David was a former club secretary
. Mark “Lanch” Lanchberry & family – another familiar drinking face and I’m sure his boys will be the face of the future
. Nod Butters – One hell of a footballer in his time, and his son, Will may be better than his old man one day!
. Arlo & the Smith’s – Another one of the beer drinkers and a cracking player in his time
. Michael “Titty” Titmarsh – He may be my old man but he really gives his all to the club
. Trevor Heads (RIP) – Player, manager & former bar steward
. Tom Smith – I have no idea where Tom is these days but he used to be a great player of the beer drinking team
. Ray Ewart – Current club secretary who does an absolute brilliant job and is a great bloke
. Tony Sparrow – Club gateman for years gone by and superb pedlar supporter.
. Tom Marenghi (RIP) – a fantastic talent lost too soon
. Members of the Shed – Group of well-known supporters through the years, Colin Spalding, Paul Anakin, Jerome Stockdale, Lester Stockdale & Gotty

As mentioned above there are so many to mention and we are grateful for everyone’s support throughout the years as without the support of good local families we wouldn’t have made our 125th Birthday.

Thank you for reading the above and we hope to see you down the lane soon, here’s to the next 125 years!

Regards,
Mark Titmarsh
Swaffham Town FC Committee