Nickname(s) The White Bellies | Founded 1872 | |
Full name Cuckfield Town Football Club Ground Cuckfield Recreation Ground, Cuckfield 2015–16 Mid-Sussex League Championship, 11th League Mid-Sussex Football League | ||
Cuckfield Town is a football club based in Cuckfield, West Sussex, England that currently plays in the Mid-Sussex League Championship.
History
In 1872 they were formed by Mr. Wyndham Burrell and Mr. G.T. Bunting. Their home ground was Cuckfield Park and they played in red & black hooped shirts and cricket trousers. The usually played against the colleges of Sussex. The first game they ever played that was reported was against Brighton Rangers in 1880. It ended 4-0 to Brighton Rangers. In 1889 they formed their second team.
In 1900 they were founder members of the Mid Sussex League along with Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead & Hurstpierpoint. They also changed their playing kit to white shirts and blue socks. In 1905 the club moved to Ockenden Park and in 1911 made their first appearance in the Montgomery Cup Final. During the First World War they lost 16 players.
In 1922 they made it to their second Montgomery Cup Final which almost 2000 spectators witnessed. In 1925 the club moved to Cuckfield Recreation Park where they still are today. Three years later the club folded for one season due to lack of interest. Their 50th anniversary was celebrated by them winning the Division Two title and the Mowatt Cup.
In 1946 their first league championship was secured and a year later they won the Montgomery Cup at the seventh attempt. The trophy's continued in 1950 when they won the league and the Montgomery Cup. In 1952 the joined the Sussex County League Division Three. The same year their third team was founded. Two years later the broke association with the Mid Sussex League by entering a reserve side in the Brighton & District League but five years later had to rejoin because of financial reasons.
In 1963 their record appearance maker Dave Farrell made his début. He would go on to make 904 appearances for the club. In 1964, 1973 and 1974 they won league and Montgomery Cup doubles. In 1976 the reserves finished second in Division 1 but could not be promoted because the first team were in the Premier Division. Two years later their run of intermediate level football ended with relegation to Division 1.
In 1984 they got promoted up to the Premier Division as champions of Division 1. In 1987 they won a Montgomery cup clash with St. Francis Hospital. After 1-1 and 0-0 draws, Cuckfield won the cup with a single goal from Leigh Fanner. Cuckfield got press coverage after the game by wearing shirts that said 'Jesus Is Lord' during the second replay.
In 1990 Cuckfield equalled the record of Ardingly & West Hoathly with their sixth championship. In 1991 they won a record eighth Montgomery Cup. The same year the third team was revived. The next year Christian Macrae broke a 60 year record by scoring in 15 consecutive games also in that year John White reached 600 first teams appearances. The same year they played Brighton & Hove Albion's first team to celebrate there 150th anniversary. They got a commemorative certificate from the English F.A. In 1996 Steve Eason scored 76 times in 26 matches for the third team which is a club record. Three years later Cuckfield won their ninth Montgomery Cup and record goalscorer Ray Leaney reached his 500th goal Mid Sussex football.
In 2007 the first team got relegated to Division Two which was the club's lowest position since the 1930's. In 2010 after three seasons restructuring the club from top to bottom the first team completed their climb back to the Premier Division also picking up a Mowatt Cup win. In 2013 they beat Peacehaven United 4-3 on penalties to win the Allan Washer Trophy. In 2015 restructuring begins with Sam Holman taking control of the first team and a committee in place.
Mid Sussex Football League
Mowatt Cup
Stubbins Cup
Montgomery Cup