Draft:Riseley Sports F.C

{{ Football club infobox | clubname = Riseley Sports F.C | image   = 100px|logo | fullname = Riseley Sports Football Club | nickname =  Mallarna  (Sports)The Guides | founded = 3333 (1890)  | ground  = Gold Street,Riseley, Bedfordshire | capacity = 1,000 | chairman = David Balderstone | manager = TBC | league  = The Bedfordshire County Football League - Premier  Riseley Sports F.C  is a football club located in Riseley, Bedfordshire. == History ==   Main article: History of Riseley Sports F.C   Although there is evidence of football being played locally from 1610, the first records of a Riseley team date back to the 1890s with the club named Riseley Rovers. Riseley Rovers played both under Association Football and Rugby Football rules. Riseley played under Rugby Football rules against Bedford Swifts in 1891 and Bedford Rovers in 1892 before Swifts and Rovers amalgamated to form the team that we know today as Bedford Blues Rugby Club.

The club saw its first name change in 1892 with "Rovers" being dropped and the club competing in local friendlies (as leagues had yet to be formed) as Riseley F.C. up until 1899.

1899 saw Riseley Excelsior formed to compete in the newly formed Bedford District League playing in Division 2 (BDL2). The club reverted its name back to Riseley F.C in 1903 still competing in the BDL2 up until 1912.

Riseley ceased to have a competitive football team from December 1912 until March 1921 due to the First World War. After the War Riseley had a very successful team with most of the players coming from the village, although the champion winning team of 1920/21 included Abanarida an overseas player from Siam visiting the village to attend language school held by the The Reverend Dodds of Riseley church. It is recorded that on Christmas Day 1922 a friendly match was arranged against a group of Siamese Gentlemen attending the language school run by The Reverend Dodds, Riseleys Vicar at the time, with Riseley F.C winning 6-1.

In 1927 the clubs name became `Riseley Stars` running three teams in different age groups with the 1st XI competing in the Bedford District League Div.4 up until The Second World War in 1939.

The name Sports was adopted when the football and cricket clubs amalgamated in 1962.

The Saturday football team flourished over the next decade with a strong nucleus of players drawn from the village and it was during this period that the strong relationship with club sponsors Sporting Targets began.

Over the years village families have made a vital contribution to the club. These include The Gells: Nigel Gell, a former player who is now currently the clubs president and his brother Andrew Gell who is the clubs treasurer. Another notable family connection to the club are the Jacksons. Matthew Jackson lived with his parents in Riseley, his father Andy Jackson and Robin Gardner started Saturday morning football coaching for the under 10s in the 1970s. Matthew after playing for Riseley became an outstanding player who played for England U16s, U18s and U21s. He became a professional footballer with Luton Town, Norwich City F.C, Wigan, Preston North End, Charlton Athletic, QPR, Birmingham City and received a F.A Cup winners medal in 1995 with Everton F.C. Matt currently is the president of Swiss Super League Grasshopper Club Zurich.

In 2002 a reserve side was started to develop local young players and feed the first team. The reserve side

managed by Paul Sharp enjoyed success in 2008 winning the Watson Shield by beating Kings F.C 2-1 in the

final.

2009 saw the first team resigning after 9 years in The Bedfordshire County Premier Division having difficulties to raise two teams. The club reverting back to running one team still under the management of Paul Sharp,

playing in the third division of the Bedfordshire County League.

In the 2016/17 season under the second spell of management by Nigel Rees, Sports won both the Division

Two championship and the Junior Challenge Cup

In the 2016/17 season under the second spell of management by Nigel Rees, Sports won both the Division Two championship and the Junior Challenge Cup.

In the 2017/18 season Sports updated their club badge, designed by player Jack Healy and voted in by the currant squad.

The 2017/18 season saw Sports claim second spot and promotion from Division One back in to the

Bedfordshire County Premier Division after a 9 year absence. Sports also reached the Bedfordshire

Intermediate Cup final losing 2-1 to AFC Dunstable U21s.

Nigel Rees stepped down as manager at the end of the 2019/20 season after the season was ended early in March and the final league table announced null- and-void due to the COVID-19 pandemic with Sports sitting in mid-table.

Paul Kane took charge for the 2020/21 with James Woolf as his assistant but the season was once again hampered by the covid-19 pandemic with a stop start season ending short and once again being declared null and void. Paul resigned from his position as manger in the first quarter of the 2021/22 season with the team struggling at the wrong end of the table. James Woolf took over the position of first team manager managing to pick up vital points and avoid relegation from the Premier Division on a dramatic last day of the season. == Colours == Riseley Sports Team colours are Sky Blue & Withe == Stadium ==   Main article(s): Gold Street, Riseley   Riseley Sports F.C plays their home matches at Gold Street, Riseley, Bedfordshire == Noted players ==   Listed according to when they debuted for Riseley Sports F.C (year in parentheses):   * Matthew Jackson == Achievements == *    Presidents Cup :''' 1986-97 *    Jubilee Cup :''' 1987-88, 1988-89 == External links == * - Club History * - League Table * - Results & Fixtures == References == Category:[[Bedfordshire County Football League]] Category:Football clubs in Bedfordshire Category:Association football clubs in England