| Chairman | Simon Sparrow |
| Simonsparrow01@gmail.com | 07769588360 |
| Secretary | Ian Keddie |
| debenhamfc@yahoo.com | |
| Programme Editor | Lauren Squirrell |
| laurensquirrell92@hotmail.co.uk | |
| Manager | Guy Hayes |
| guy.hayes@footstars.org.uk | 07963 560439 |
| Ground | Friends Meadow, Debenham Leisure Centre, Gracechurch Street, Debenham, IP14 6BL | 01728 861101 |
| Midweek matches – Tuesday | ||
| Nickname | The Hornets |
| Colours | Yellow & Black Striped Shirts | Black Shorts | Yellow Socks |
| Goalkeeper’s Colours | Fluorescent Yellow Shirt | Fluorescent Yellow Shorts | Fluorescent Yellow Socks |
| Change Colours | Red Shirts | Red Shorts | Red Socks |
| Goalkeeper’s Colours | Blue Shirt | Blue Shorts | Blue Socks |
| Website | debenhamlcfc.weebly.com/ |
| @DebenhamLCFC |
Club History
Debenham LC FC was formed in the summer of 1991 under the name of Debenham Angels FC in division 7 of the Suffolk and Ipswich League. That season the team went unbeaten in the league and gained promotion to Division 6 from where they were again promoted two years later.
In 1996 the success continued as the club was promoted from Division 5 to Division 4, which was won at the first attempt and that season saw the formation of a Reserve team that entered Division 8.
In the 1999-2000 Season the First Team were Division 3 champions and the Reserves were also promoted from Division 8. The following season saw the club win another championship with the First Team being promoted to Division 1. The Reserves also gained promotion to the SIL Intermediate B Division.
Promotion from Division 1 was narrowly missed in 2001-2002 and in the following season relegation to division 2 was only avoided in the last week of the season.
2003 saw the appointment of ex Stowmarket Town Manager, Mel Aldis as the new First Team Manager and his Assistant Alistair Forster with help from Kevin Snell. The new Management Team led the First Team to promotion to the SIL Senior Division as Division 1 Champions following a 10-0 victory over Ipswich Exiles in the final game of the season giving the club promotion by goal difference over local rivals Framlingham Town FC.
The following season, the clubs first in senior football exceeded all expectations. The season finished with Debenham runners up to East Bergholt United FC and gaining promotion to the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League.
In season 2005-2006 the adult teams and the highly successful junior setup – comprising 14 teams – joined forces under the new name of Debenham Leisure Centre Football Club, to be known as Debenham LC FC. Mel Aldis persuaded the East Bergholt United manager Trevor Wardlaw to join him at Debenham to prepare for the challenge of Ridgeons league football, thus renewing their partnership of the mid nineties when they were together at Stowmarket Town FC.
Season 2006-2007 after the necessary ground improvements had been completed saw the team enter the FA Vase competition for the first time. The following season Debenham finished in a very pleasing 5th place, progressed to 2 cup semi-finals and the deadly striking partnership of Stuart Jopling and Ian Gedny shared the League golden boot with 32 league goals each.
Season 2008-2009 saw Ian Gedny become Assistant to Manager Mel Aldis and was also the year that saw the club enter the FA Cup competition, just 3 years after achieving senior club status – a feat that commends all those who participated in the growth and progress of the club. This first FA Cup venture saw us progress through 3 rounds before finally bowing out to the strength of AFC Wimbledon in front of Maitlands record crowd of 1026. The league performance started well but a worrying lack of form – and goals – around Christmas/New Year meant thoughts of promotion were put on the back burner as we were in mid table and a long way short on goal difference. Things improved over the early New Year games and a dramatic late season surge of form saw the club go into the last game of the season in 4th place behind Halstead Town FC by 2 points. A comprehensive 7-0 victory at March Town United for Debenham LC and Halstead Town’s draw at Great Yarmouth saw the teams tied on points but Debenham won the last promotion place to the Premier Division thanks to their goal difference which was improved by an astonishing 25 over the last 7 games of the season.
The first season in the Premier Division was a frustrating one with injuries to key players but another late surge guaranteed their top flight status for another season with a respectable 14th place finish. There was increased optimism around the club but after two seasons in the Premier Division the grim reality of life at the top bit hard, a succession of injuries and players leaving left the club struggling to compete during Season 2010-2011 and the season ended with the team at the bottom of the league, having only won seven games in the season. Manager Mel Aldis tendered his resignation which was reluctantly accepted.
Successions of Management Teams have since taken on the task of bringing success back to Debenham with mixed fortunes. The summer of 2013 saw the appointment of Paul Grainger as first team manager with Stuart Reavell as club coach. Their team finished 12th in the League during Season 2013/14 but were the First Division Knock Out Cup winning team after beating League and Senior Cup winners Whitton Town United 2-0 in the final. This was the club’s first success in a competition and its first piece of silverware.
Soon after however first team manager Paul Grainger was released from his position and the club appointed Stuart Reavell to take the role of Head Coach. The first half of the 2014-15 Season had seen a dramatic improvement with the team holding 1st place in the division for 8 weeks and finishing a respectable 7th place. Things looked optimistic for continuance but the summer of 2016 saw great changes for the Hornets.
First Kevin Snell stood down as Chairman after 20 years of service to the Club and then the majority of the committee also chose to resign. New Chairman, Steve Sherwood and his new committee took up the challenge. One of their first tasks was to accept the resignation of Stuart Reavell. Reserve Team Manager Ben Murphy was appointed to steady the ship alongside Dale Vince. Season 2016-17 was a roller coaster season which saw Debenham struggling despite notable wins against higher opposition; it was evident that the future of the Hornets needed to be in experience hands.
In January 2017 Mark Benterman was appointed First Team Manager and his first season in charge saw the Hornets finish 12th in the League. As the 2017/18 Season approached, several smart signings were made and the retention of most of the previous squad, as well as the appointment on new Assistant Manager Leon Moore saw Debenham prepared for an assault on the top places.
Early in the 2017-18 Season Leon Moore took charge of the First Team with Shaun Hunsdon as his Assistant. His side played some quality football and he guided them through an impressive cup run and to a 7th place finish in the league. The season came to an end with Chairman, Steve Sherwood, resigning and with the majority of the committee also standing down the future of the club seemed uncertain.
Having seen the club only a few hours away from folding, a whole new committee was formed with new Chairman, Chris Conway and returning Vice-Chairman, Pip Alden at the helm. The club is optimistic for the 2018-19 Season and the Management Team remains unchanged.
In 1996 the success continued as the club was promoted from Division 5 to Division 4, which was won at the first attempt and that season saw the formation of a Reserve team that entered Division 8.
In the 1999-2000 Season the First Team were Division 3 champions and the Reserves were also promoted from Division 8. The following season saw the club win another championship with the First Team being promoted to Division 1. The Reserves also gained promotion to the SIL Intermediate B Division.
Promotion from Division 1 was narrowly missed in 2001-2002 and in the following season relegation to division 2 was only avoided in the last week of the season.2003 saw the appointment of ex Stowmarket Town Manager, Mel Aldis as the new First Team Manager and his Assistant Alistair Forster with help from Kevin Snell. The new Management Team led the First Team to promotion to the SIL Senior Division as Division 1 Champions following a 10-0 victory over Ipswich Exiles in the final game of the season giving the club promotion by goal difference over local rivals Framlingham Town FC.
The following season, the clubs first in senior football exceeded all expectations. The season finished with Debenham runners up to East Bergholt United FC and gaining promotion to the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League.
In season 2005-2006 the adult teams and the highly successful junior setup – comprising 14 teams – joined forces under the new name of Debenham Leisure Centre Football Club, to be known as Debenham LC FC. Mel Aldis persuaded the East Bergholt United manager Trevor Wardlaw to join him at Debenham to prepare for the challenge of Ridgeons league football, thus renewing their partnership of the mid nineties when they were together at Stowmarket Town FC.
Season 2006-2007 after the necessary ground improvements had been completed saw the team enter the FA Vase competition for the first time. The following season Debenham finished in a very pleasing 5th place, progressed to 2 cup semi-finals and the deadly striking partnership of Stuart Jopling and Ian Gedny shared the League golden boot with 32 league goals each.
Season 2008-2009 saw Ian Gedny become Assistant to Manager Mel Aldis and was also the year that saw the club enter the FA Cup competition, just 3 years after achieving senior club status – a feat that commends all those who participated in the growth and progress of the club. This first FA Cup venture saw us progress through 3 rounds before finally bowing out to the strength of AFC Wimbledon in front of Maitlands record crowd of 1026. The league performance started well but a worrying lack of form – and goals – around Christmas/New Year meant thoughts of promotion were put on the back burner as we were in mid table and a long way short on goal difference. Things improved over the early New Year games and a dramatic late season surge of form saw the club go into the last game of the season in 4th place behind Halstead Town FC by 2 points. A comprehensive 7-0 victory at March Town United for Debenham LC and Halstead Town’s draw at Great Yarmouth saw the teams tied on points but Debenham won the last promotion place to the Premier Division thanks to their goal difference which was improved by an astonishing 25 over the last 7 games of the season.The first season in the Premier Division was a frustrating one with injuries to key players but another late surge guaranteed their top flight status for another season with a respectable 14th place finish. There was increased optimism around the club but after two seasons in the Premier Division the grim reality of life at the top bit hard, a succession of injuries and players leaving left the club struggling to compete during Season 2010-2011 and the season ended with the team at the bottom of the league, having only won seven games in the season. Manager Mel Aldis tendered his resignation which was reluctantly accepted.
Successions of Management Teams have since taken on the task of bringing success back to Debenham with mixed fortunes. The summer of 2013 saw the appointment of Paul Grainger as first team manager with Stuart Reavell as club coach. Their team finished 12th in the League during Season 2013/14 but were the First Division Knock Out Cup winning team after beating League and Senior Cup winners Whitton Town United 2-0 in the final. This was the club’s first success in a competition and its first piece of silverware.
Soon after however first team manager Paul Grainger was released from his position and the club appointed Stuart Reavell to take the role of Head Coach. The first half of the 2014-15 Season had seen a dramatic improvement with the team holding 1st place in the division for 8 weeks and finishing a respectable 7th place. Things looked optimistic for continuance but the summer of 2016 saw great changes for the Hornets.
First Kevin Snell stood down as Chairman after 20 years of service to the Club and then the majority of the committee also chose to resign. New Chairman, Steve Sherwood and his new committee took up the challenge. One of their first tasks was to accept the resignation of Stuart Reavell. Reserve Team Manager Ben Murphy was appointed to steady the ship alongside Dale Vince. Season 2016-17 was a roller coaster season which saw Debenham struggling despite notable wins against higher opposition; it was evident that the future of the Hornets needed to be in experience hands.
In January 2017 Mark Benterman was appointed First Team Manager and his first season in charge saw the Hornets finish 12th in the League. As the 2017/18 Season approached, several smart signings were made and the retention of most of the previous squad, as well as the appointment on new Assistant Manager Leon Moore saw Debenham prepared for an assault on the top places.
Early in the 2017-18 Season Leon Moore took charge of the First Team with Shaun Hunsdon as his Assistant. His side played some quality football and he guided them through an impressive cup run and to a 7th place finish in the league. The season came to an end with Chairman, Steve Sherwood, resigning and with the majority of the committee also standing down the future of the club seemed uncertain.
Having seen the club only a few hours away from folding, a whole new committee was formed with new Chairman, Chris Conway and returning Vice-Chairman, Pip Alden at the helm. January 1st 2019 saw the resignation of first team manager Leon Moore. In the interim, Assistant Manager, Guy Hayes took charge until he was asked to take over on a permanent basis. Guy did a fantastic job at steading the ship and changing the whole atmosphere in the dressing room. The team finished the season mid table.
2019/20 pre-season started early for Guy and his players, some new signings had come in to bolster the squad and Stuart Reavell and Martin Westcott joined the coaching staff for the new season. By the end of September both Assistant’s had left the club. Towards the end of October, Kevin Barker was appointed Assistant Manager. The club were keen to improve on the consistency of the previous seasons performances and to enjoy a good run in the cups. Unfortunately, the Suffolk Senior Cup run came to a rather disastrous end but the club were back playing in the FA Vase again and despite a fantastic effort from the lads were extremely unlucky to be knocked out at the 2nd hurdle. Overall performances had been improving in the league with some memorable results. The team had gotten themselves into quite a good league position with a number or games in hand on opponents above. Sadly, after a spell of terrible weather causing havoc with game postponements, the season was bought to an abrupt halt by the Coronavirus Outbreak. On 26th March 2020 we were advised that the season would be declared null and void, with all results being expunged.
Thurlow Nunn League 