Ventnor F.C.
| Full name | Ventnor Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1883 | ||
| Ground | Watcombe Bottom | ||
| Chairman | John Sivier | ||
| Manager | Gary Gee | ||
| League | Isle of Wight League Division 1 | ||
| Website | https://www.ventnorfc.uk/ | ||
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Ventnor F.C. are a long running amateur football club based in Ventnor, Isle of Wight.
The club are affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association and are long serving members of the Isle of Wight League.
History
Ventnor F.C. were founded in 1883 and initially played friendly matches until becoming founder members of the Isle of Wight League in 1898.[1]
The club have always played in the competition, with the first team frequently alternating between Divisions 1 and 2.[2]
The 2022/23 season was the most memorable in the club's long history after the first team won both the Division 2 and the Isle of Wight Junior 'A' Cup, whilst the Reserves won the Combination Division 2 title.
Ventnor finished runners-up in Division 1 in 2025 in what was their highest position for many years.[3] They also reached the semi-final of the Isle of Wight Gold Cup,[4] but narrowly lost 0–1 against Wessex League side Cowes Sports.
Honours
- Isle of Wight League
- Division 1 Runners-up 2016/17 and 2024/25
- Division 2 Champions 2022/23
- Combination Division 2 Champions 2017/18 and 2022/23 (Reserves)
- Isle of Wight FA
Ground
Ventnor FC play at Watcombe Bottom Sports Centre, Whitewell Road, Ventnor, PO36 1LP.[9]
The venue is shared with Ventnor Rugby Club[10] and Ventnor Youth Football Club.[11] The main football pitch is partly separated with floodlights and covered accommodation for spectators.
Local rivals
Ventnor enjoy a long running rivalry with several local clubs including Shanklin, Sandown and Niton.[12]
References
- ^ "Isle Of Wight Football Association History". www.iowdfa.org.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887–1987 by Norman Gannaway
- ^ "Ventnor Top Harwoods Div 1 After Beating Early Leaders Brading". 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Tattersall Hat Trick Sees Ventnor Through to Gold Cup Semi Final". 5 January 2025.
- ^ "Isle Of Wight Football Association Cup Winners". www.iowdfa.org.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Isle Of Wight Football Association Cup Winners". www.iowdfa.org.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Isle Of Wight Football Association Cup Winners". www.iowdfa.org.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Isle Of Wight Football Association Cup Winners". www.iowdfa.org.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Watcombe Sports Centre, home to Ventnor - Football Ground Map". www.footballgroundmap.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Ventnor 2Nds Victorious Against Chichester at Watcombe Bottom". 17 February 2025.
- ^ "Ventnor Youth Fc Hosts Biggest-Ever Tournament with 29 Teams and over 300 Players". 21 May 2025.
- ^ Keep It on the Island - A History of Football on the Isle of Wight 1898–1998 by Mick Bull