Whitby Town F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Whitby Town


fullname = Whitby Town Football Club
nickname = "Seasiders"
founded = 1880 (as Streaneshalch FC)
ground = Turnbull Ground,
Whitby, North Yorkshire
capacity = 3,200
chairman = flagicon|England Anthony Graham Manser
mgrtitle = Player/Manager
manager= flagicon|England Phil Brumwell & Graham Clark
league = NPL Premier Division
season = 2007-08
position = NPL Premier Division, 12th| pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=_whiteredblackwhitehorizontal|pattern_ra1=
leftarm1=3664BC|body1=3664BC|rightarm1=3664BC|shorts1=3664BC|socks1=3664BC
pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=_whiteredblackwhitehorizontal|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=FFFFFF|body2=FFFFFF|rightarm2=FFFFFF|shorts2=3664BC|socks2=FFFFFF|

Whitby Town Football Club, commonly known as just Whitby Town or Whitby is an English football club based in Whitby, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football. Founded in 1880, Whitby are one of the oldest clubs from the North Riding of Yorkshire, the club has spent their entire history in the amateur leagues though they have reached the Second Round of the FA Cup in both 1983–84 and 1985–86.

The level which the club are at now is the highest they have been throughout the clubs history, rising up from the lower sections of non-league football during the 1990s, winning the Northern Premier League First Division on the way as well as the Northern League Cup six times. However the most prestigious honour Whitby have won is probably the FA Vase in 1996–97.

Whitby play their home games at the 3,200 capacity stadium the Turnbull Ground in Whitby. The club's colours are somewhat distinct in English football and are intentionally similar to Italian side Sampdoria [ [http://www.whitby-town.com/news05.php "Sampdoria style stripes"] , Whitby-Town.com, 10 February 2006] wearing a blue shirt with a touch of white and red. Due to the town of Whitby having a proud history as a fishing port they are nicknamed as "The Seasiders".

History

Foundation and early years

The club was founded as Streaneshalch Football Club in October 1880,cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 7)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925] soon after its foundation the club changed its name to Whitby Church Temperance and played a friendly game against Scarborough on 8 January 1881, which Whitby won 2–0.cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 8)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925] The name was changed in late 1882 to Whitby Football Club and continued to play friendly games as well as competing in the "Scarborough & East Riding County Cup". At this time rugby football codes were more popular, however Whitby and some other sides proved to be important in gaining a foothold for the code of association football especially in the North Riding of Yorkshire.cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 8)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925] The most prominent player of the early years was John Nicholson, who captained the side for nearly a decade.cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 12)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925]

During this early period Whitby and Scarborough's rivalry was tense: Whitby beat them in the final of the 1886–87 County Cup, before in the two seasons following Scarborough beat Whitby in the final.cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 9)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925] There was also a situation in the 1889 FA Cup where Scarborough knocked Whitby out in the First Round, with Whitby complaining that Scarborough's Recreation Ground was an illegal size.cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 10)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925] Unfortunately the rivalry culminated in one of the first football riots, after a disagreement about a goal, Whitby players were attacked on the pitch by Scarborough fans and eventually chased out to the Scarborough railway station. 19 year old Whitby player Albert Drabble was attacked at the game, died the following month of a heart attack, though links between the incidents were not conclusive it put a large shadow over the fixture.cite book | last = Adamson | first = Steve| title =Scarborough F.C. - 1879-1998: The Official History (pg. 12)| publisher =Yore Publications | url =http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scarborough-F-C-1879-1998-Official-History/dp/customer-reviews/1874427925| isbn = 1874427925]

Whitby joined the Northern League for the first time in 1893 only to return to the Cleveland Amateur League two seasons later. They returned to the Northern League in 1899 and won the Second Division the same season. Again, the cost of travelling forced the Club to leave the Northern League and for a time Whitby reverted to playing friendlies only, a step which put the club into near obscurity. After World War One, the town of Whitby had two clubs, both playing in the Scarborough and District League, Whitby Whitehall Swifts and Whitby Town. Ever conscious of Whitby’s more illustrious past, the two clubs decided to amalgamate in 1926 as Whitby United. The new club was admitted into the Northern League and the club's name was changed to Whitby Town in 1949.

Post-War Success

The Club reached a new height in the Amateur Cup days. In 1964 they reached the Quarter finals and the following year they made it all the way to Wembley, losing 3-1 to Hendon. The Northern League Cup has been won six times and the North Riding Senior Cup won on five occasions. Whitby were also successful in the short lived Rothman's National Knockout Cup, winning it in 1976 and 1978.

In 1983-84, Whitby came to national prominence when they came back from two goals down to beat Halifax Town 3-2 in the FA Cup first round proper. They were beaten by a late penalty at Wigan in the following round. The same season, Whitby reached the quarter finals of the FA Trophy for the first time losing to Dagenham in a replay.

In 1992-93, Whitby Town won the Northern League Championship for the first time in their history. Unfortunately due to circumstances completely beyond their control, the Club were denied promotion to the Northern Premier League.

The Harry Dunn years

In December 1995 the Club appointed Harry Dunn as manager. By the end of the season, he had taken Whitby to another Northern League Cup Final victory.

The following season, 1996-97, the Club went from strength to strength. A 0-0 draw against Hull City in the first round proper of the FA Cup, was played at Scarborough on police advice, in a remarkable replay at Boothferry Park, Whitby came from behind to take a 4-3 lead which was held until the dying seconds of the game. With only 49 seconds remaining, Hull levelled the score and went on to win 8-4 in extra time. Superior fitness told in the end. This was to be one of only five defeats in the entire season.

The Club came from behind in the Northern League race, winning the Championship in style from neighbours, Billingham Synthonia, before completing an amazing "double" by winning the FA Vase at Wembley, beating North Ferriby United 3-0.

The following season, 1997-98, saw continued success at the Turnbull Ground when the Club won the Northern Premier League First Division Championship by a margin of 7 points at their first attempt as well as beating York City 3-0 in the final of the North Riding Senior Cup to become holders for a fifth time. Whitby again reached the final of the NRSC in 1999 only for York to gain revenge by winning 4-2. In the 1999-2000 season the Seasiders finished 12th in the Northern Premier League and were beaten finalists in the President's Cup, losing over two legs to Trafford after a penalty shootout.

The 2001-2002 season saw Whitby finish in a disappointing 15th in the league, but got to the FA Cup 1st Round for the 7th time, only to lose out to Plymouth Argyle after a replay, 3-2. The first game at the Turnbull Ground which finished 1-1 was played in front of the BBC Match of the Day cameras.

Season 2003/04 saw another excellent cup run halted at the hands of Hartlepool United. The blues put up a spirited show at Victoria Park but fell 4-0 to an excellent Pools side. Whitby also managed to finish in the play off zone for the new Conference North but went out on penalties to Radcliffe Borough, a team they had beaten 5-0, 6-2 and 1-0 in the regular season.

Recent times

Chairman of Whitby Town FC is Graham Manser. Long time manager Harry Dunn was replaced by Dave Logan early in season 2004/05 after a string of poor performances. The former Blues stalwart turned the side around as they equalled a club record 19 games without defeat and in the process made the Northern Premier League promotion play-offs. They lost in the semi-final to Farsley Celtic after extra-time. Town also reached the final of the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup but lost in extra time to Matlock Town.

2005/06 saw Logan looking to improve on that great first season and with the building of a brand new 505 seater main stand at the Turnbull Ground the future looked bright.

A new era started at the beginning of the 2006/07 season when former Welsh International Lee Nogan took over the reigns. David Logan left Whitby Town to pursue a new career North of the border.

Lee Nogan resigned in October 2007 after an uncharacteristically bad start to the season for Whitby. Senior player Phil Brumwell took temporary command of first team affairs, helped out by former Spennymoor and Tow Law stalwart Graham Clark.

The pair were awarded the job on a permanent basis early in 2008 and remain at the helm going into the 2008-09 season.

Current squad

:"As of 27 August 2008."

Notable former players

Whitby Town's appearance record holder is Paul Pitman. Paul Joined Whitby in 1988 and stayed with them for 12 seasons. Paul's nickname at Whitby was 'Yakka', which is an old slang name for a miner. Yakka played for Whitby Town a total 484 (42 as a substitute). His goal scoring record is second to none with a total of 378 in all competitions. In one season alone Paul knocked in 60 goals (1995/96 season). After 12 season with Whitby Town Paul left for pastures new in 2000.

Over the years, Whitby have had several illustrious managers. Dave Richardson was a former Blues' Boss before progressing through senior soccer to become Director of Coaching at the Football Association. More recently, two former Scotland Internationals and World Cup Finalists have taken charge at the Turnbull as the ex-Leeds United stars David Harvey and Eddie Gray both managed and played for Whitby Town in Northern League matches, the latter setting the foundations for the team that has become successful over recent years. Other ex-internationals to grace the Turnbull turf include Peter Lorimer (Leeds and Scotland) and Sunderland's FA Cup winning skipper Bobby Kerr.

In recent times, Sheffield United and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Paddy Kenny appeared for the Blues on loan from Bury in 1998-99 during Town's maiden Unibond League Premier Division season.

Honours

*Northern Premier League First Division
**Champions: 1997-98

*Northern League / Northern League Division One
**Champions: 1992-93, 1996-97
**Runners-up: 1927-28, 1933-34, 1967-68, 1981-82, 1982-83

*Northern League Cup
**Winners: 1928-29, 1963-64, 1969-70, 1976-77, 1984-85, 1995-96
**Runners-up: 1931-32, 1982-83, 1989-90, 1994-95

*FA Amateur Cup
**Runners-up: 1964-65

*FA Vase
**Winners: 1996-97

*FA Trophy
**Quarter-finalists: 1983-84, 1998-99

*North Riding Senior Cup
**Winners: 1964-65, 1967-68, 1982-83, 1989-90
**Runners-up: 1928-29, 1938-39, 1958-59, 1966-67, 1975-76, 1985-86, 1998-99, 2001-02

*Scarborough & East Riding County Cup
**Winners - 1886–87: 1889–90
**Runners-up - 1887–88; 1888–89
*Rothmans National & Overseas Cups
**Winners: 1975-76, 1977-78

References

External links

* [http://www.whitby-town.com Whitby Town FC Online]
* [http://www.bjmje.plus.com/wtfc/wtfc_photos.htm Latest Whitby Match Photos]
* [http://www.whitbywanderers.co.uk Official Fansite]