Sway F.C.


Sway F.C. are a long running amateur football club based in Sway, a New Forest village in Hampshire, England.
A fully accredited club, they are affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association and run 13 sides at various age categories, from Under 7's through to the Men's 1st Team who play in the Hampshire Premier League.

History

Sway were founded in 1908 and spent their early days playing friendly fixtures before joining the New Forest League.
The club played at the Memorial Ground at Pitmore Lane and progressed on to the Bournemouth League, where they enjoyed plenty of success.
In 1969, Sway were elected to the Hampshire League Division 3 West, but frequently struggled and after twice finishing bottom they were relegated in 1975.
Back in the Bournemouth League, Sway returned to form and in 1977 they completed the treble after winning the league title, Bournemouth Senior Cup and the Pickford Cup at Dean Court, Bournemouth.
These successes saw a return to the county league, and this time they were better prepared; winning two promotions to a competitive Division 2 where they did well to consolidate until relegation in 1990.
Back in the Bournemouth League, Sway enjoyed mixed fortunes but the move to the Jubilee Sports Field in 2005 sparked a revival with successive titles being won in 2007 and 2008.
Further title successes resulted in promotion to the Hampshire Premier League Division 1 in 2015, progressing up to the Senior Division two years later. The club have since consolidated themselves at this level and twice won the League Cup.
The Junior section has continued to grow with more sides frequently being added, including a girls team.

Honours

  • Hampshire League
  • *Division 4 Runners-up 1977–78
  • Hampshire Premier League
  • *Division 1 Runners-up 2016–17
  • *League Cup Winners 2017-18 and 2021–22
  • Bournemouth League
  • *Premier Division Champions 2007–08 and 2012-13
  • *Division 1 Champions 1945–46, 1976–77 and 2006–07
  • *Division 2 Champions 2004-05
  • Bournemouth FA
  • *Senior Cup Winners 1976-77 and 1977–78
  • *Pickford Cup Winners 1976-77 and 2005–06
  • *Page Croft Cup Winners 2012–13, Finalists 2016-17

League career

SeasonCompetitionPositionSignificant events
1945-69Bournemouth League
1969/70Hampshire League Division 3 West10/16
1970/71Hampshire League Division 3 West12/16
1971/72Hampshire League Division 3 West13/16
1972/73Hampshire League Division 416/16
1973/74Hampshire League Division 48/16
1974/75Hampshire League Division 416/16Relegated
1975-77Bournemouth League
1977/78Hampshire League Division 42/16Promoted
1978/79Hampshire League Division 36/16
1979/80Hampshire League Division 38/15
1980/81Hampshire League Division 28/20League restructure
1981/82Hampshire League Division 217/20
1982/83Hampshire League Division 218/20
1983/84Hampshire League Division 28/18
1984/85Hampshire League Division 216/18
1985/86Hampshire League Division 216/18
1986/87Hampshire League Division 216/18League restructure following creation of the Wessex League
1987/88Hampshire League Division 216/19
1988/89Hampshire League Division 217/19
1989/90Hampshire League Division 218/18Left competition
1990-2015Bournemouth League
2015/16Hampshire Premier League Division 17/11
2016/17Hampshire Premier League Division 12/9Promoted
2017/18Hampshire Premier League Senior Division11/16League Cup winners
2018/19Hampshire Premier League Senior Division6/16
2019/20Hampshire Premier League Senior DivisionSeason abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020/21Hampshire Premier League Senior DivisionSeason abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021/22Hampshire Premier League Senior Division9/16League Cup winners
2022/23Hampshire Premier League Senior Division15/17
2023/24Hampshire Premier League Senior Division12/16
2024/25Hampshire Premier League Senior Division16/16Relegated
2025/26Hampshire Premier League Division 1

Ground

Sway play at Jubilee Field, Station Road, Sway, SO41 6BE. The venue has a stand and a permanent pitch barrier. The club are planning to install floodlights so that they are eligible for promotion.
The Memorial Ground is still used by Sway Juniors and the Cricket Club.

Notable former players

Sam Vokes and Josh McQuoid both played for Sway Juniors in the nineties before turning professional.

Local rivalries

Sway enjoyed a healthy rivalry with number of New Forest clubs. Bashley, Brockenhurst, Lymington Town, New Milton and Lyndhurst regarded as their main rivals.

Print

  • Sway FC 75th Anniversary 1908–84 by Les Castle