The
Capenhurst Villa FC Story Capenhurst Villa
FC were originally founded in 1952. And in the first season, commenced playing in the
Chester & District league, under the name of
Capenhurst FC,
that name was to remain until 1985. In 1980, following success in a BNFL
Inter Departmental competition, a team was formed, and
assumed the name of Capenhurst Villa FC, sharing
the ground with Capenhurst FC, who continued to run
separately, with its own committee.
It was 1985, when the two clubs decided to
merge, and use the name Capenhurst Villa FC, with
teams now playing in the South Wirral League Premier
division, and
First Division. The 1988/89 season, saw Capenhurst
Villa successfully apply to join the West Cheshire
League Second Division, with the Reserves continuing in
the South Wirral League.
The following season 1989/90, saw
Capenhurst Villa finish Runners up, in Division Two of
the West Cheshire league, whilst losing two semi-finals in the Wirral Amateur Cup, and
the West Cheshire (Durwin) Bowl. Cup disappointments were soon cast
aside though, when the club gained promotion to Division
One, with the reserve side
stepping up from the South Wirral League, to Division
Two
of the West Cheshire League, for the start of the
following 90/91 season.
In the 1992-93 season, although, after initially proving
to be a difficult time for the club, with two teams now
holding West Cheshire status. Capenhurst Villa FC were soon
vying for honours. While
consolidating their place in Division One, the First
team won through to Two finals, unfortunately losing out
to Cammell Laird in the Cheshire Amateur Cup final, but
going on to beat Mersey Royal, to win the Wirral Senior
Cup.
'The Cape' lost out in the same final a year later
1993/94, to Poulton Victoria.
Capenhurst Villa Reserves posted
their intentions in the 1995-96 season, finishing
runners up in Division Two, just one point behind
eventual Champions, Poulton Victoria
Reserves. Sadly in the same season our over 35's team
were beaten Finalists in the Ssangyong National cup, had
they won, an appearance at Wembley, playing before the
league cup final was the prize. Unfortunately for the next few years, further League success was a
struggle, with the 1st team dropping into
Division 2, and the second string unluckily having to
drop into Division 3, but the Management & Committee
were forever hopeful.
January 2003 saw us change bases
Click HERE, and move just around the corner
to the Electric Research club, as the old Capenhurst
Sports and Social Club was closed. It was a bit of a
wrench, but we were made more than welcome, so it was business as usual.
2003, also saw a change in
fortunes, as in the 2003/04 season, Cape claimed the
West Cheshire Bowl ...Click HERE. Beating Heswall Reserves 2-1 in a close
fought encounter.
2004/05 season also saw an
improving Capenhurst Villa, whilst after a great season,
they were thwarted in the promotion race in the dying
weeks to finish 3rd. Whilst Semi final disappointments in
the West Cheshire Bowl, and Wirral Senior cup, were
accompanied by an unlucky exit in the Cheshire Amateur
Cup, at the quarter final stage.
2010/11, an appearance in the West Cheshire
Bowl final, in May 2011 proved fruitless, as we
succumbed to a 6-1 defeat, to a strong Ashville
outfit.
2013/14 season we were
crowned as Division 2 Champions, and won promotion back
to Division One. And all with four games to spare. We also
reached the Cheshire Amateur cup quarters, losing out to
Ashville FC.
2014/15 season we lost out in all
three semi finals, the Cheshire Amateur cup, the West
Cheshire Bowl, and the Wirral Senior cup, while our
Reserves won through to the Wirral Amateur Cup final,
narrowly losing out in extra time, to a division higher
Willaston outfit 1-0.
February 2016, saw our base for
the last thirteen years, The Electricity Research Club,
close. So up until 2019, we are somewhat nomadic, using local
pubs in the immediate area, as our meeting place, until
we could come up with our own facility.
May 2017, saw our 2nd team led
to promotion By Managers Daz Earlam, and Damian McGinnigle.
Confirming 2nd place in Division 3, on the very last day of
the season. And for the start of the 2017/18 season, we
now held Division 2, and Division 3 status. As we
elected to drop our 1st team down to the 2nd Division,
to help our NEW youthful 2nd team start in Division 3.
2018/19,
Was another successful season. Led once again by Daz
Earlam, our 1st team gained promotion to Division One,
finishing 2nd in the league. And also, unluckily losing
out in the final of the West Cheshire bowl 1-0.
By
the end of 2019, work was completed on our newly
refurbished Pavilion, and new Clubhouse. Our Clubhouse,
containing re-designed
dressing rooms, new showers, and a Bar and TV room,
gives both the football, and our Rugby
compatriots, a club, a home,
and a great base to run from. So onwards and upwards we
go.
2020/21,
After a shortened, Covid affected season, our recently
formed Capenhurst Villa FC Veterans team, made it through
to the Wirral Junior Cup final. And after a 1-1 Draw at Full
Time, a brave effort saw the Vets losing out to season
long unbeaten favourites, Avenue FC, 3-5 in a penalty shoot
out. 2021/22,
Capenhurst Villa FC Vets team won their first ever
trophy, winning the final of the The Tom Gerraghty
Memorial Trophy. Beating Parkfield vets 5-2.
2022/23,
After a thirty year gap, and for the second time in our
history, Manager Steve Simmons, steered his side to lift
the prestigious Wirral Senior Cup. We last won it the
1992/93 season, and now won it 30yrs later, 2022/23. Deservedly
beating Div One Champs, and Cheshire Amateur cup
winners, Mersey Royal in the final, 1-0.
2023/24,
We reached the final of the Wirral Senior cup for the
second consecutive year. Unfortunately as holders, we
couldn't hold onto the Cup. Facing North West Counties
side Cammell Laird, losing out by a 0-3 margin.
The Youth policy at the club will
continue, and is seen by everyone, as our best way
forward. Therefore, Capenhurst Villa Football Club,
look forward to a long, and hopefully successful,
association with the West Cheshire Association Football
League.
West
Cheshire successes and nearly successes 2023/24 .....Wirral Senior Cup Beaten Finalists
2022/23 .....Wirral Senior Cup Winners
2021/22
...CWFL Tom Gerraghty cup winners (Cape Villa Vets).
2020/21 .....Wirral Junior Cup
beaten Finalists (Cape Villa Vets).
2018/19 .....West Cheshire
Division 2 Runners-Up (1st team), and Beaten Finalists
in West Cheshire Bowl (1st team).
2016/17 .....West Cheshire
Division 3 Runner-Up (reserves)
2014/2015 .....Wirral Amateur Cup Beaten Finalists
(reserves)
2013/2014 .....West Cheshire Division 2 Champions 2010/2011 .....West Cheshire
Bowl Beaten Finalists
2006/2007 .....West Cheshire Club of the Year
Award
2005/2006 .....West Cheshire Club of the Year
Award
2003/2004 .....West Cheshire
Bowl Winners
1995/96 .....West Cheshire
Division 2 Runners-Up (reserves)
1995/96 .....National Ssanyong Cup Beaten Finalists (Cape over 35's)
1993/94 .....Wirral Senior Cup Beaten Finalists
1992/93 .....Cheshire Amateur Cup Beaten Finalists
1992/93 .....Wirral Senior Cup Winners
1989/90.....West Cheshire Division 2 Runners-Up
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