The History of Soham Town Rangers F.C.

Soham Town Rangers were founded in 1947 when Soham Town (1920) and Soham Rangers amalgamated. The club started in the Cambs league and also had a reserve team.

A move to the Peterborough League in 1956 was a start of what the club is today, during this period the club won the League and the League cup on two occasions. They joined the Eastern Counties League in 1963. At the end of season 1988/89 together with arch rivals Ely City they were relegated to the newly formed 1st division of the Jewson League.

Season 1990/91 saw the club lift the Cambs Invitation Cup beating Wisbech Town and Cambridge City on the way to a final win over March Town Utd 4-1.

1992/93 saw Soham gain promotion back to the Premier Division after finishing runners up in Division one to Sudbury Wanderers.

Soham won the Cambs Invitation Cup once again in 1997/98 and 1998/99 beating Wisbech Town and Newmarket Town respectively.

Season 2000/01 saw Soham lift the first Millennium Trophy with a penalty shoot out victory over Diss Town on thier own ground.

The season 2002/03 was the best Soham Town Rangers have had in the Eastern Counties League finishing in 3rd place behind AFC Sudbury and Wroxham.

The 2003/04 season saw Soham finish 5th and reach the League Cup Final for the first time in thier history, narrowly losing 2-1 in after extra time to Maldon Town.

In the season 2004/05 Soham had a great FA Vase run it ended with a one nil defeat at home against the run of play, Soham also finished seventh in the league one place behind Mildenhall this was also the season when manager Kevin Pritchard was released of his managerment duties.

This season Soham will be managed by Ian Benjamin and will hopefully bring a bit of silverwear to the club.

Tribute must go to Chairman Mr Colin Murfitt for the excellant facilities we have at Soham, which has seen the completion of a covered walkway completely behind the goal at the Dog s**t alley end.

Ground: Julius Martin Lane, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5DE

Tel: 01353 720732

Direction: A142 between Newmarket and Ely, at roundabout at northern end of bypass turn left towards town centre and then right at the corner shop into Julius Martin Lane. Ground is on the left.

Capacity: 2,000  Seats:250  Cover: 1,200

Floodlights: yes  Club shop: no

Honours: Eastern Counties div 1 R-up 92/93, Peterborough & District league (3), Millenium cup 2000-01, CIC cup 1990-91,97-98,98/99, Ridgeon's League cup R-up 2003-04.

Previous: Leagues: Peterborough & District. Ground: Soham Rangers: Brook street 1919-47.

Preivious names: Soham Town & Soham rangers merged in 1947.

Records: attendance: 3,000 v Pegasus, F.A Amature cup 1963

Best seasons: F.A cup: 3rd Q v Kings Lynn (a) 1970-71

                         F.A vase: 4th round v Aldershot (a) 1993-94

                        Ridgeons Lge: 3rd 2002/03

Map to the ground:

Founded: 1947

Nickname: Town or Rangers

Main sponsor: C.J Murfitt builders & 3Q sports

Colours: Green,black &white

Midweek matches: Tuesday evenings

Programme: £1.00

Local press: Soham journal, Soham standard & Cambridge evening news

Admission prices:-

Adults: £4.00

Children:£2.00

Prices may vary in cup matches.

Chairman: C.J Murfitt

President: V. Jones

Manager: I. Benjamin

Physio: M. Dury

Club secretary: C. Abbott

Club treasurer: Lisa Moore

Groundsman: Mr G. Eley

Programme editor: Mr F. Parker

Website manager: Jay Collen

Bar manager: Malcolm Howe

Local hairdresser: Bill the barber

E-mail: strfc@fsmail.net

The club has an excellant variety of alchol,soft drinks and snacks behind the bar.

New last season the club has invested in a big screen sky sports with prem plus.

There is a burger bar near the entrance of the ground which sells burgers,hot dogs,soup,drinks,sweets and a range of hot & cold drinks.