OFFICIALS of Henbury FC are hoping to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of one of the most successful clubs in the Bristol area by lifting the Gloucestershire County League crown again, having been challenging for top spot most of the season.
A special celebration evening has been arranged at the Arnall Drive clubhouse on Saturday, June 2, when all former and present members are invited to attend.
This event will follow a charity game to be played at the ground a week earlier on Saturday, May 26 and, again, anyone who has been associated with the club will be welcome.
Long-serving secretary Charlie Barron said: "We have lost touch with many of our old players and officials and we would like to see them once more."
The senior team was formed by teenagers from the area playing in the Federation of Boys' Club's league at the start of the 1962-63 campaign, before joining the Downs League as Henbury OB a year later.
After gaining promotion in three successive seasons, the Old Boys moved to the District League and returned to their present Arnall Drive base in 1968.
As the club expanded, other successful senior and junior sides were also introduced in the Church of England League until they also transferred to the District League.
The first team joined the Bristol Premier Combination in 1969 becoming champions in 1980. 1981, 1983 and 1988, as well as winning the Premier Combination Cup three times during the 19 seasons under the management of the late Billy Bonds and Cyril Pritchard.
The Old Boys were later elected to the Gloucestershire County League and won the championship in 1995, having also lifted the GFA Senior Amateur Cup in 1984 and the Fry Club Cup eight years later. Now known as Henbury FC, the club has three senior Saturday sides and nine colts squads, which are providing talent for the future.
For many years Henbury also boasted successful Sunday teams, which gained several league and cup honours before disbanding.
Barron added: "Nicky Showering has taken over from Chris Loud as manager of the Gloucestershire County League squad, which has around 90 per cent of the players from the colts, and we are looking to keep that record going."
And the club feels that there is a fresh air of optimism surrounding Henbury's 50th anniversary season.
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