Bognor Regis Town FC were founded in 1883 and their early years were mainly spent playing friendly matches until they joined the West Sussex League in 1896. They enjoyed a certain amount of success at this level, which included winning the league five years in succession in the early twenties. As a result they joined the Brighton & Hove District League in 1926, however, their stay was short as the following season they applied to join the Sussex County League where they remained until 1972. more...
The club enjoyed mixed fortunes in this league, winning the Division One Championship in the 1948/49 season. Relegation to Division Two in 1969 was to start a new era for the dub. Winning their way back to the First Division at the first attempt, they went on next season to win the Championship. This prompted them to apply to join the Southern League, which meant they had played in three different leagues in three successive seasons.
Bognor took their time to settle at the higher level and in the 1981/82 season were runners-up in both the League and the League Cup, they also won the Merit Cup for the most goals scored in a season. The following season saw Bognor playing in yet another league, The Isthmian, they were elected to Division One, and their first season saw them promoted as runners-up to the Premier Division.
After winning the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time in 1955, Bognor went on to create a competition record by winning it in five consecutive years from 1980 to 1984. They have won the Sussex County League on four occasions and in 1986/87 season beat Hendon to win the AC Delco Cup. This was the first cup success for a Sussex side outside it's own County.
The Rocks have reached the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup on four occasions, the first time being in 1984. After holding Swansea to a 1-1 draw at the Vetch Field in the First round, they won the replay 3-1 before a record crowd at Nyewood Lane, only to lose to Reading at Elm Park in the Second Round. The following season they reached the same stage only to lose away to Gillingham.
The 1988/89 season again found Bognor beating League opposition, this time City 2-1, but their hopes of reaching the third round for the first time were dashed when they lost 1-0 at home to Cambridge United. The Rocks last appearance at this stage was in season 1995/96 when they again failed to reach the third round, losing 4-0 at Peterborough's London Road ground.
In addition, the club have reached the First Round Proper on three occasions, the first being 1972/72 followed by 1986/87 and 1987/88. Bognor enjoyed their best ever run in the Umbro FA Trophy in the 95/96 season, just to reach the last sixteen, losing 3-1 at home to Radcliffe Borough.
2002/3 saw the club finish in 2nd place in the Ryman League Division 1 to gain promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division. This was achieved despite a long list of injuries, which at times devastated the squad.
On their return to the Premier Division, the club finished in a respectable 10th position and with it qualification to the new Nationwide Conference South.
Bognor moved from Swandene Gardens to their present ground in 1923. Here the ground has grown gradually over the years.
A bit of trivia for you; The Wednesday Stand is so called because there was once a team which played on a Wednesday afternoon (half day closing) and when they folded they had some funds left which they donated to club in return for naming the stand in their honour.
Modernisation/Improvements
The current season (2006 / 2007) sees a new chapter written in the BRTFC history when construction of the new 500 seater Community Stand begins. As the name suggests it will be a stand which will benefit not only the football club but the local community and will include such facilities as a nursery, sports injury clinic plus IT facilities.
Most supporters who visit Nyewood Lane would agree that it is a nice, compact little ground able to generate a good atmosphere, whatever the weather. more...
The ground consists of four terraces, two covered, to the north, east and west of the ground. Just over half of the total capacity (3,800) is undercover.
To the south there is an all-seater stand and a covered seating/ terrace stand. To sit costs an extra £1 which is paid at the entrance to the stand. At present the seating is adequate but it will improve when the new stand is built which will also help to improve the ground and give it a new lease of life.
Smoking is allowed throughout the ground with the boardroom being the only no smoking area.
Toilets are available inside the clubhouse as well as out in the ground.
There is an electronic scoreboard which is visible from most points in the ground.
Coaches usually park in the squash/cricket club car park, free of charge, which can be accessed through the gateway off Hawthorn Road. ...less
