Sway F.C. are a long running amateur football club based in Sway, a New Forest village in Hampshire, England.
A fully accredited club, they are affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association and run 13 sides at various age categories, from Under 7's through to the Men's 1st Team who play in the Hampshire Premier League.
History Sway were founded in 1908 and spent their early days playing friendly fixtures before joining the New Forest League.
The club played at the Memorial Ground at Pitmore Lane and progressed on to the Bournemouth League, where they enjoyed plenty of success.Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887-1987 by Norman Gannaway
In 1969, Sway were elected to the Hampshire League Division 3 West, but frequently struggled and after twice finishing bottom they were relegated in 1975.A History of the Hampshire League 1896-1996 by Norman Gannaway
Back in the Bournemouth League, Sway returned to form and in 1977 they completed the treble after winning the league title, Bournemouth Senior Cup and the Pickford Cup at Dean Court, Bournemouth.A History of Bournemouth Football Association & League 1920-95 by Norman Gannaway
These successes saw a return to the county league, and this time they were better prepared; winning two promotions to a competitive Division 2 where they did well to consolidate until relegation in 1990.A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
Back in the Bournemouth League, Sway enjoyed mixed fortunes but the move to the Jubilee Sports Field in 2005 sparked a revival with successive titles being won in 2007 and 2008.
Further title successes resulted in promotion to the Hampshire Premier League Division 1 in 2015, progressing up to the Senior Division two years later. The club have since consolidated themselves at this level and twice won the League Cup.
The Junior section (established in 1988) has continued to grow with more sides frequently being added, including a girls team.
Honours Hampshire League Division 4 Runners-up 1977–78 Hampshire Premier League Division 1 Runners-up 2016–17 League Cup Winners 2017-18 and 2021–22 Bournemouth League Premier Division Champions 2007–08 and 2012-13 Division 1 Champions 1945–46, 1976–77 and 2006–07 Division 2 Champions 2004-05 (Reserves) Bournemouth Football Association Senior Cup Winners 1976-77 and 1977–78 Pickford Cup Winners 1976-77 and 2005–06 Page Croft Cup Winners 2012–13, Finalists 2016-17 (Reserves)
League career
SeasonCompetitionPositionSignificant events1945-69Bournemouth League 1969/70Hampshire League Division 3 West10/161970/71Hampshire League Division 3 West12/161971/72Hampshire League Division 3 West13/161972/73Hampshire League Division 416/161973/74Hampshire League Division 48/161974/75Hampshire League Division 416/16Relegated1975-77Bournemouth League 1977/78Hampshire League Division 42/16Promoted1978/79Hampshire League Division 36/161979/80Hampshire League Division 38/151980/81Hampshire League Division 28/20League restructure1981/82Hampshire League Division 217/201982/83Hampshire League Division 218/201983/84Hampshire League Division 28/181984/85Hampshire League Division 216/181985/86Hampshire League Division 216/181986/87Hampshire League Division 216/18League restructure following creation of the Wessex League1987/88Hampshire League Division 216/191988/89Hampshire League Division 217/191989/90Hampshire League Division 218/18Left competition1990-2015Bournemouth League 2015/16Hampshire Premier League Division 17/112016/17Hampshire Premier League Division 12/9Promoted2017/18Hampshire Premier League Senior Division11/16League Cup winners2018/19Hampshire Premier League Senior Division6/162019/20Hampshire Premier League Senior Division Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic2020/21Hampshire Premier League Senior Division Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic2021/22Hampshire Premier League Senior Division9/16League Cup winners2022/23Hampshire Premier League Senior Division15/172023/24Hampshire Premier League Senior Division12/162024/25Hampshire Premier League Senior Division16/16Relegated2025/26Hampshire Premier League Division 110/142026/27Hampshire Premier League Division 1
Ground Sway play at Jubilee Field, Station Road, Sway, SO41 6BE. The venue has a stand and a permanent pitch barrier. The club are planning to install floodlights so that they are eligible for promotion.
The Memorial Ground is still used by Sway Juniors and the Cricket Club.
Notable former players Sam Vokes and Josh McQuoid both played for Sway Juniors in the nineties before turning professional.
Local rivalries Sway enjoyed a healthy rivalry with number of New Forest clubs. Bashley, Brockenhurst, Lymington Town,A History of Lymington Town Football Club 1876-1984 by Norman Gannaway New Milton and Lyndhurst regarded as their main rivals.
Print Sway FC 75th Anniversary 1908–84 by Les Castle
References
External links Sway Juniors website Hampshire Premier League website Sway at the Football Club History Database Hampshire League Final Tables Hampshire Soccer Archive Sway village website