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'AMBLESIDE UNITED F.C. AMBLESIDE UNITED F.C. is an amateur English football club based in Ambleside in the Lake District in Cumbria. The 1st team currently play in the West Lancashire League and the reserve team currently play in the Westmorland League. The club ground is called Hillard Park.'

HISTORY

-THE AMBLESIDE CLUB WAS FORMED IN 1896 --

The Club played in the 1st ever Senior Challenge Cup in 1898 losing to Windermere 5 - 1 and again in 1900 when we lost to Milnthorpe 4 - 1. We made amends in 1908 beating beating Burneside 3 - 2 and in 1923 beat Netherfield 2 - 0. This is a cup that has eluded us ever since but hopefully this can soon be rectified. In the early years and up to the 2nd world war the the Westmorland League usually consisted of between 7 and 11 teams of which Ambleside was one of these teams.

When the League started again in 1946/47 11 teams competed with Ambleside finishing 7th and the following year 5th of 13. In 1948/49 the YMCA formed a team and played in the 2nd division. In the 1950/51 season the Ambleside Club were relegated into the 2nd division and stayed there until 1959 meanwhile the YMCA team had gained promotion.

In 1957/58 a North West Combination League was formed and the YMCA first team joined this league.

1960 saw the Ambleside and Ambleside YMCA amalgamate. An article in the Westmorland Gazette dated 2/9/1960 reads "An interesting development has taken place in Ambleside with the amalgamation of the two soccer clubs of Ambleside and Ambleside YMCA. Several preliminary meetings between the two clubs have been held and a strong management committee has now been formed, although a few details have yet to be arranged. It is anticipated that the Club will soon be firmly established. There is plenty of enthusiasm amongst players and officials to make a success of the new venture and an appeal has been made to local sportsmen to become members and patrons. 3 teams will be fielded . The 1st team in the North West Combination and the other 2 in the 1st and 2nd division of the Westmorland League. Home matches will take place at Miller Field and Rothay Park. The new club will be known as Ambleside YMCA United ."

The hand written minutes of the meetings are available to be seen in the Clubhouse.

At the end of the 1961/1962 season the North West Combination finished and the Ist team rejoined the Westmorland League Division 1.

The Westmorland County Senior Cup Final was reached in 1960 and 1965 but on both occasions were beaten by Shap 5 - 0.

With many players retiring after this season the club entered a period in the doldrums but still were able to field a team. They were relegated in the 1966/67 season and remained in Division 2 until gaining promotion in the 1979/80 season. Two seasons earlier they did however win the Mason and Freeman cup beating Appleby Reserves 1 - 0.

1980 saw the Club buy the field. Hard work by Committee members and players raised the required amount of money in quick time. Donations and loans were given to the club and all loans were paid back on time.

As mentions earlier the revival of the fortunes of the Club began in the late 1970's. The Cub again able to field 2 teams and numerous very good young players emerged. The Club winning the High Sheriffs Cup in 1987/88 ,the Invitation Trophy in 1983 and the Benevolent Trophy in 1983 - 1990 - 1998 - and 2009.

The league proved difficult to win, but it was finally achieved in 1989/90 the title in the balance until the very last match of the season with fellow contenders Kendal County having to win their last match by a very high margin.

The 1990's saw the Clubhouse being built. This proved quite a difficult project, but it was finally achieved and was opened in 1995. The field also being renamed Hillard Park.

There was a slight blip in the mid 1990's when relegated but immediately bounced back being promoted the next season. After being difficult to win, the Westmorland League Division 1 title was then won in 3 consecutive seasons - 2007/08 - 2008/09 and 2009/10.

In 2010 the Committee took the decision to apply for permission to join the prestigious West Lancs League with the Reserve team playing in the Westmorland Division 3. Permission was granted and along with Kendal County a new venture began.

Although winning their 1st game only 4 points were acheived from the 1st 6 matches. A settled team then began to find their stride and a highly creditable 3rd position was achieved. The opposition and playing facilities in this League being of a very good standard. The Reserve side also having an excellent season winning their league and winning the Peter Dawes Memorial Trophy. The 2011/2012 season was one of the best in the Club's history. The 1st team were the West Lancs Division 2 champions in only their 2nd season in the league. They won the Senior County Cup, the 1st time since 1923 and they completed the treble by winning the West Lancs Division 2 Challenge Cup. The Reserves promoted last season won the Westmorland League Division 2 at the 1st attempt and now are the 1st reserve team to be in the Westmorland League Division 1 for many a year. The 2012/13 season started well but at the beginning of December the 1st team manager applied for the vacant Kendal Town managerial position and was offered the job. Most of the 1st team players left the club to join Kendal Town. It was with great difficulty to carry on because of the number of players that had left the club but the season was completed and both teams stayed up in their respective leagues. The 2013/14 season was always going to be difficult. A new manager – George Gudgeon was appointed and he brought into the club several young players. The main aim of the club was for both teams to stay up and this was achieved although the final few matches for both teams proved difficult. The 1st team against the odds reached the Invitation Trophy Final and Senior Cup Final and although losing both matches it was a great achievement to get to the finals. HONOURS

AMBLESIDE

WEST LANCS DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONS 2011/2012

WESTMORLAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONS

1989/90 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONS

1979/80 1998/99

HIGH SHERIFF CUP

1948/49 AMBLESIDE          3   SEDBERGH   2 1987/88 AMBLESIDE UTD  2  KENDAL CTY  1   STEPHEN EDMONDSON  IAN CLARK

MASON & FREEMAN CUP

1977/78 AMBLESIDE UTD  1  APPLEBY RES 0  JOHHNY GRAHAM SENIOR CUP WINNERS 1908       AMBLESIDE   3   BURNESIDE         2 1923       AMBLESIDE   2   NETHERFIELD     0 2012       AMBLESIDE   2   KENDAL COUNTY   1  MICHAEL BARRON AARON HELLIWELL

INVITATION TROPHY WINNERS 1983       AMBLESIDE UTD  2  BURNESIDE  1  MARTIN GALLAGHER  IAN CLARK 2012       AMBLESIDE UTD  3  KESWICK    1  McGEECHAN  2  HELLIWELL  1

BENEVOLENT TROPHY WINNERS 1983       AMBLESIDE UTD  3  STAVELEY   0  STEVE GASKELL  IAN CLARK 2

1990       AMBLESIDE UTD  0  SHAP   0                            Replay AMBLESIDE UTD  8  SHAP   2   R.BARR   C.WILSON  A.FORD B.TREMBATH S.EDMONDSON  M.BRACKEN  R.POWLEY  K.BARRON

1998       AMBLESIDE UTD  2  STAVELEY  1  D.RAMSAY  N.LEWTHWAITE

2009  AMBLESIDE UTD  4   WETHERIGGS   1    DAVID RAMSEY     ZACH  CLARK     D.COOPER  2

WEST LANCS CHALLENGE CUP 2011/2012 AMBLESIDE UTD 1 LADYBRIDGE  O A.E.T  MICHAEL BARRON

AMBLESIDE RESERVES

WESTMORLAND LEAGUE DIVISION 3 CHAMPIONS

2007/08 2010/11

WESTMORLAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2 CHAMPIONS

2011/12

2010/11 PETER DAWES MEMORIAL SHIELD

AMBLESIDE RES 3 KENDAL CELTIC RES 2    JAKE ROUTLEDGE  TOM HEAP  CORY VICKERS