 | |||
| Full name | Highgate United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Gate | ||
| Founded | 1948 | ||
| Ground | The Coppice, Shirley | ||
| Chairman | Malcolm Ward | ||
| Manager | Malcolm Ward | ||
| League | Midland League Premier Division | ||
| 2023–24 | Midland League Premier Division, 5th of 18 | ||
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Highgate United Football Club is a football club based in the Shirley district of Solihull, having relocated from their original home in Highgate, Birmingham. They are currently members of the Midland League Premier Division and play at The Coppice.
History
[edit]The club was established in 1948 by a group of former residents of the St Vincent's Home for Working Boys, run by Father Hudson's Society.[1] They initially joined the South Birmingham League before moving up to Division Two of the Worcestershire Combination in 1964.[1][2] After finishing fourth in their first season in Division Two, the club was promoted to Division One.[2][3]
In 1966–67 season, the club reached the quarter-finals of the FA Amateur Cup. During the match against Enfield, several players collapsed after a lightning strike, and Highgate's Tony Allden died the following day. The game was abandoned and replayed at Villa Park, where a crowd of over 31,000 watched Enfield win 6–0.[1][3]
The 1970s was the most successful era in Highgate United's history. In 1972–73 season, the club won the renamed Midland Combination, claimed the League Cup, and reached the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals. They lost 4–0 in a replay against Walton & Hersham at Selhurst Park after a 0–0 draw in the first match at Highfield Road.[1][3] They tean retained the league title and League Cup the following season, adding the Birmingham Senior Cup with a 3–2 victory over Darlaston. In 1974–75, they secured a third consecutive Midland Combination title and went on to win the League Cup in 1975–76 and 1976–77.[1]
Highgate finished as Division One runners-up in 1981–82 season and won the League Cup in 1984–85.[3][1] In 1994–95, the club ended the season at the bottom of the (renamed) Premier Division but avoided relegation due to the division's expansion from 18 to 20 clubs. They claimed the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup in 2006–07 season,[1] and finished as Premier Division runners-up the following season, earning promotion to the Midland Alliance.[3]
In 2014, the Midland Combination and Midland League merged to form the Midland League. Despite finishing third in the Alliance the previous season, Highgate were placed in Division One of the new league, one level below their previous position. However, they triumphed in Division One during the Midland League's inaugural season, earning promotion to the Premier Division.[3] In 2023–24 season they secured a spot in the promotion play-offs but were defeated 3–1 Lichfield City in the semi-finals.
Ground
[edit]The club initially played at Billesley Common.[1] By the 1960s, they had relocated to their current ground on Tythe Barn Lane, just a five-minutes walk from Whitlocks End railway station. In July 1996, a covered stand-partially seated and partially standing-was constructed on one side of the pitch and later named the Patrick & Philomena Meade Stand.[4] Floodlights were installed the following year.[1]
Honours
[edit]- Midland League
- Division One champions 2014–15
- Midland Combination
- Division One champions 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75
- League Cup winners 1972–73, 1973–74, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1984–85
- Birmingham Senior Cup
- Winners 1973–74
- Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup
- Winners 2006–07
- Tony Allden Memorial Cup
- Winners 1973–74, 1974–75
Records
[edit]- Best FA Cup performance: Fourth qualifying round, 1973–74[3]
- Best FA Amateur Cup performance: Semi-finals, 1972–73[3]
- Best FA Trophy performance: Third round, 1974–75[3]
- Best FA Vase performance: Third round, 2023–24[3]