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Millbrook A.F.C.

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Coordinates: 50°24′28.25″N 4°08′50.48″W / 50.4078472°N 4.1473556°W / 50.4078472; -4.1473556
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Millbrook A.F.C.
Full nameMillbrook Association Football Club
Nickname(s)The Magpies, The Brook
Founded1888
GroundJenkins Park, Millbrook
ChairmanSteve Hutson
ManagerRyan Swiggs
LeagueSouth West Peninsula League Premier Division West
2023–24Western League Premier Division, 18th of 18 (relegated)

Millbrook Association Football Club is an English football club based in Millbrook, Cornwall who compete in the South West Peninsula League.[1] The Reserve Team are part of the East Cornwall League.[2]

History

The Early Years (1888-1980)

The club was established in 1888 and, along with Torpoint Athletic (formed in 1887) and Penzance (formed in 1888), are one of the three oldest clubs in Cornwall. They were also one of the eight founder members of the Cornwall FA, which was formed a year later in 1889. The club competed at a local level for 92 years, a number of these in the neighbouring Plymouth and District League. They won various honours at this standard although there are no records online to support this.

The South Western League (1980-2007)

Millbrook joined the South Western League in 1980 and achieved notable success. They went on to finish in the 'top 5' on eleven occasions (five of which finishing in the 'top 3)'.[3] In 1982, the club were agonisingly close to winning the title but after a frantic finish to the season ended up finishing as league runners-up (finishing one point behind eventual champions, Newquay). They did, however, go on to record seven 'top 5' finishes in succession. Millbrook have also reached the Cornwall Senior Cup Final on two occasions. They were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Liskeard Athletic in 1984 but were again painfully close to silverware, losing 2-1 to Bodmin Town in 1999. Furthermore, the club competed in the FA Vase whilst playing at this standard. They reached the second qualifying round on two occasions under former manager, Roger Fice, and were narrowly knocked out of the competition by then Western League outfit, Exmouth Town, in 2004-5, losing 2-1, and Newton Abbot, from the Devon County League, in 2005-06, losing 3-2.

The New SWPL (2007-2010)

In 2007, after 27 seasons in the South Western League, the club became founder members of the South West Peninsula League after the amalgamation of the Devon County League and the South Western League. The league consists of three divisions and involves clubs from the counties of both Devon and Cornwall. The Premier Division sits at Step 6 of the National League System (Step 10 of English Football), a step higher than the disbanded South Western League. The club spent 3 seasons at this standard. Their highest finish coming in the 2007-08 season, when they finished 12th under former manager, Mark Jones.

Financial Issues and Demotion (2010)

Due to financial issues, the club lost their South West Peninsula League status in 2010 and were demoted two divisions to Step 9 of the National League System (East Cornwall League, Division One). This was a massive blow to the club as they had competed at Step 7 for the past 30 years (1980-2010). Former club captain, Ben Ferguson, scored what proved to be the club's final goal in a 2-1 defeat to Truro City at Treyew Road.[4]

The East Cornwall League (2010-2014)

Following the demotion and subsequent resignation of manager, Dane Bunney, former First Team assistant and Reserve Team manager, Ryan Swiggs, took over the reigns at Mill Park (now Jenkins Park).[5] Swiggs went on to turn the club around and led them to four consecutive 'top 6' finishes. During this time, as well as the two promotions, the club also reached the East Cornwall League Cup Final (their first cup final in 15 years, which ended in defeat to bitter local rivals, Torpoint Athletic)[6] and set a new club record by scoring 104 goals in the 2011-12 season, albeit in the East Cornwall League, Division One.[7]

Return to the SWPL (2014-present)

In 2014, following two promotions in four seasons,[8] the club regained their proud South West Peninsula League status.[9] Since the promotion, the club's financial position has improved dramatically. This has enabled Swiggs to build a solid foundation which has led to the club avoiding relegation. They finished the 2015-16 season in 13th position which was their highest position (in the National League System) for 8 years and in Swiggs' tenure. The club's ambition is to now push for promotion to Step 6 of the National League System for the first time in their history.

Ground

Jenkins Park

Millbrook play their home games at Jenkins Park, Mill Road, Millbrook, Cornwall, PL10 1EN. The ground was renamed Jenkins Park (formerly Mill Park) in February 2014 in honour of Reg Jenkins,[10] a native and resident of Millbrook who played in the Football League for Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United, as well as for Rochdale, where he was voted the club's greatest-ever player in a BBC poll in the late-1990s.[11]

Main Stand

In 2016, the club put their recent financial issues (the voluntary demotion in 2010) behind them by renovating the main stand.[12]

Records (1980-present)

League

  • South Western League:
    • Runners-up: 1981–82
    • 3rd: 1983–84, 1985–86, 1986–87, 2004–05
    • 4th: 1982–83, 2003–04
    • 5th: 1984–85, 1987–88, 1999–00, 2000–01
  • East Cornwall League:
    • Runners-up (in Division One): 2011-12 (promoted to Premier Division)
    • 3rd (in Premier Division): 2013-14 (promoted to South West Peninsula League)
    • 5th (in Division One): 2010-11

Cup

References

  1. ^ Millbrook AFC Twitter
  2. ^ 1st Team Pitchero
  3. ^ Millbrook Football Club History
  4. ^ Millbrook denied fitting end to league existence Western Morning News
  5. ^ South West Peninsula Football League: Club Directory South West Peninsula League
  6. ^ ECPL Rowett Insurance Cup Final Cornwall Football Forum
  7. ^ East Cornwall League, 2011-12 F.C.H.D.
  8. ^ East Cornwall League, 2013-14 F.C.H.D.
  9. ^ Promotion to SWPL Twitter
  10. ^ Millbrook rename home to celebrate modest life of 'Big' Reg Jenkins Plymouth Herald
  11. ^ Reg Jenkins Passes Away Rochdale A.F.C.
  12. ^ Main Stand Twitter

50°24′28.25″N 4°08′50.48″W / 50.4078472°N 4.1473556°W / 50.4078472; -4.1473556

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