Lyndhurst F.C. (Hampshire)

Lyndhurst F.C. are a long running amateur football club based in Lyndhurst, a small town and civil parish situated in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire, England, about nine miles (14 km) south-west of Southampton.

The club are affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association and are long serving members of the Southampton Football League.

Founded in 1885, Lyndhurst F.C. are one of the oldest clubs in Hampshire. They initially played friendly fixtures before becoming founder members of the New Forest League in 1903. Here they won the 1911 Perkins Charity Cup after defeating Totton 2-1 at Brockenhurst.^[1]

In 1949, the club began their long association with the Southampton League and were placed in Junior Division 5. Lyndhurst slowly climbed the ranks, finally gaining promotion to the Senior section in 1967. However, two successive relegations saw them drop back in Junior football in 1973 and here they remained for the next twenty years. ^[2]

The 1985-86 season saw the club celebrate their centenary and they won their first piece of silverware for many years after clinching the Junior Division 2 title.^[3]

After a spell in the doldrums, the nineties finally saw an overdue revival. In 1993 Lyndhurst won the Hampshire Junior 'A' Cup and regained their Senior status, quickly winning another promotion. In 2001 they won promotion to the Premier Division for the first time, but were relegated straight back. However, they made a swift return after winning the Senior Division 1 title.

County soccer arrived when Lyndhurst became founder members of the Hampshire League 2004.^[4] and held down a steady mid-table position. A year they enjoyed their finest hour when the won the Southampton Senior Cup, after defeating Locksley Sports 2-1 in the final played at St Mary's Stadium.^{[5] [6]}

In 2007 Lyndhurst became founder members of the Hampshire Premier League (a new competition formed by clubs unable to remain in the Wessex League). Despite the higher standard, they again held down a steady mid-table position until a player exodus forced their withdrawal in 2011.

Lyndhurst regrouped back in the Southampton League, and after winning the Senior League Cup (beating local rivals Cadnam United 2-1 at Eastleigh) they returned to the Hampshire League 2004, which they won at the first attempt. In 2013 the competition became Division 1 of the Hampshire Premier League, and Lyndhurst remained here until 2019 when they were promoted after winning the title. The Senior Division proved to be much tougher and they were relegated in 2022.

Since 2024 Lyndhurst have played in the Southampton League.

• Hampshire Premier League
  • Division 1 Champions 2018-19
• Hampshire League 2004
  • Champions 2012-13
• Hampshire Football Association ^[7]
  • Junior 'A' Cup Winners 1992-93
• Southampton Football Association ^[8]
  • Senior Cup Winners 2004-05
• Southampton League ^[9]
  • Senior Division 1 Champions 2002-03
  • Senior Division 2 Runners-up 1993-94
  • Junior Division 2 Champions 1985-86
  • Junior Division 5 Runners-up 1950-51
  • Senior League Cup Winners 2003-04 and 2011-12
• New Forest League
  • Perkins Charity Cup Winners 1910-11

Lyndhurst FC play at Wellands Road, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7AD.^[10]

The pitch has a fixed barrier and the club working with the Parish Council towards replacing the pavilion and changing rooms.^[11][12]

The record attendance is believed to be 400 for a pre-season friendly against an Ex-Southampton XI in July 2024.

Lyndhurst are amongst a clutch of clubs based within the New Forest area, these include Brockenhurst, Sway, Lymington Town and New Milton. Their main local rivals Cadnam United sadly folded in 2016 after a long history.

• Lyndhurst at the Football Club History Database
• Hampshire League Final Tables
• Hampshire Soccer Archive
• Lyndhurst Parish Council