Haverfordwest County A.F.C.

Haverfordwest County
Full name	Haverfordwest County Association Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Bluebirds, The West
Founded	1899 (as Haverfordwest F.C.)
Ground	Bridge Meadow Stadium; Haverfordwest; (Capacity: 2,000)
Chairman	Rob Summons
Manager	Vacant
League	Welsh Football League Division One
2010–11	Welsh Premier League, 12th of 12 (relegated)
Home colours	Away colours

Haverfordwest County A.F.C. is a football team, playing in the Welsh Football League Division One.

The club was founded in 1899 and was variously known as Haverfordwest FC, Haverfordwest Town, and Haverfordwest Athletic before adopting the current name, and plays at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest, which accommodates 2,000 spectators.^[1]

The teams' first choice strip is blue shirts, shorts, and socks.

The second choice strip is orange & black shirts, black shorts, orange socks .

[edit] History

Haverfordwest Football Club was formed in 1899, and was quickly renamed Haverfordwest Town in 1901. In 1936, the name of Haverfordwest Athletic was adopted and the first team switched to the Welsh Football League, leaving a reserve side in the Pembrokeshire League. In 1956 they gained promotion to the Welsh League Premier Division, having won the First Division title. The present name of Haverfordwest County was adopted and the club embarked on a long stay in the top flight. Disaster struck in 1975–76 when the club won only four league matches and was relegated to the First Division. Promotion eluded them until 1980 and they went on to take the championship in their first season back, losing only five games.

In 1983 the Welsh League was reorganised to create a form of "premiership" for the leading clubs and Haverfordwest's facilities, administration and playing record secured their admittance. In the nine years of existence of this National Division, Haverfordwest were out of the top six only once, but their way to the title was blocked by the powerful Barry Town side. Their opportunity to take the championship came in 1990, once Barry had decided to move to English non-league football.

Haverfordwest County were founder members of the League of Wales in 1992–93 but their stay was brief. Having accepted an offer which involved the redevelopment of their Bridge Meadow ground, and unable to find a suitable alternative ground of League of Wales standard, they resigned from the League in 1994. The decision to take a long-term view was fully vindicated by their return to the League of Wales three years later. The league has since changed its name to the Welsh Premier League.

[edit] Honours

League of Wales / Welsh Premier League
- Best ever finish Third in 2003/04

Welsh Cup
- Best performance Semi-finalists in 2004/05

FAW Premier Cup
- Best performance Quarter-finalists in 2004/05

Welsh League Division 1 / Premier Division / National Division (Step 1)
- Winners 1956/57, 1980/81, 1989/90
- Runners-up 1969/70, 1970/71

Welsh League Division 1 (Step 2)
- Winners 1979/80, 1996/97
- Runners-up 1974/75, 1994/95, 1995/96

Welsh League Division 2 West (Step 2)
- Winners 1955/56
- Runners-up 1954/55

Welsh League Cup
- Winners 1960/61, 1988/89
- Runners-up 1974/75, 1984/85, 1996/97

Welsh League (Youth Division) Cup
- Winners 2005/06
- Runners-up 2010/11

West Wales Senior Cup
- Winners 1981/82, 1988/89, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2005/06
- Runners-up 1937/38, 1949/50, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1960/61, 1980/81