Club History

The Dorset village of Cranborne's' football club is believed to have been founded in 1914. Although details of the early days of the club are sketchy, a number of old photographs exist from the early days. Many of these photographs, dating back 50 years or more, and feature players with familiar family names of people still involved with the club today. Names such as Antell, Loader and Poore still feature prominently at Cranborne Football Club to this day.

Cranborne F.C. currently consists of two teams. The club is affiliated to the Dorset County Football Association (DCFA) and both teams play on Saturday afternoons.

The highest level of football the club attained was when they were part of the old Dorset Combination League from 1989 to 1993. After an inauspicious stay in the Dorset Combination, the 1st XI dropped back into the Dorset League. The remainder of the 90’s was a struggle as the 1^st team slipped the depths of Dorset Division 3 North and East after being relegated at the end off 1999/2000.

For the start of season 2000/2001sweeping changes were made as the management adopted a far more youthful approach, which paid dividends almost immediately. They were promoted from Division 3 North & East to Division 2 in season 2000/1 when they finished runner up to Child Okeford.

In season 2001/2, adding some more youth and blending it with a couple of more experienced players, they won the Dorset Division 2 title by 9 points and finished with the divisions best scoring and defensive records.

Season 2002/3 proved to be another successful one as they returned to Dorset Division 1. In fact, it proved to be the clubs most successful ever. The 1st team completed an historic double by clinching both the Dorset Division 1 Championship and the Dorset Division 1 League Cup. The championship was won once again by 9 clear points. They also again finished with the best strike rate and defensive record in the Division (Pl 22, W 18, D 3, L 1, F 84, A 21, GD +63, Pts 57). They defeated Royal Oak Cougars 4-1 in the League Cup Final at the County Ground. In addition, the club reached the quarterfinals of the Dorset Senior Cup for the first time in its history, finally succumbing to Dr Martens League Premier Division Weymouth by 3-0 at the Wessex Stadium.

Season 2003/4 saw the Cranes compete in the Dorset Senior Division for the very first time. Aiming for their third consecutive championship and fourth promotion in a row was always going to be a tough nut to crack. Despite topping the table for most of the season a couple of single goal defeats late in the season saw the Cranes in real danger of missing out on their dream. It went right to the wire with Cranborne needing to win all 3 points at promotion rivals Allendale. Despite being 2-1 down at half time the Cranes secured the championship when captain Alex Critchlow scored with the last kick of the game to seal a 3-2 victory. Once again Cranborne had the best goals for and against record (Pl 26 W 18 D 4 L 4 F 83 A 22 GD +61 Pts 58).

Cranborne also completed their third consecutive tour in April 2004 and lifted their first ‘European’ trophy winning the Royal Brussels British F.C. Easter tournament.   

In June 2003 Cranborne FC became one the first senior clubs in Dorset to be awarded with the Football Associations Standard Charter for Clubs.

Cranborne have now secured a place back in the top flight after being accepted into the Elite Teamwear Dorset Premier League for season 2004/5. Their aim is now to establish themselves as a respected and established DPL team. With basically the same management structure and committee since their renaissance began, Cranborne have much to look forward to in season 2004/5.