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Ripon City A.F.C. - History
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Early
signs indicate the club played most of its pre-war matches on the Cricket
Club ground. An early picture taken of the team and officials, after
winning the 1907/08 Harrogate and District League, sees them displaying
the trophy in the cricket pavilion. |
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In 1918 Ripon City held its first meeting since before the war and,
when play resumed, they could be seen playing on the present site at
Mallorie Park. At this time only two teams existed in the city –
Ripon United and Ripon City. In 1919 the two clubs amalgamated and became
Ripon City A.F.C. One of the first projects undertaken after this amalgamation
was the erection of the stand. This was built in 1920 and is still in
use today. |
It
would seem the problems we encounter today are not new and were inherited
from our predecessors. A report in August 1935 stated the club was in
danger of closing if members did not show more commitment and gate receipts
were increased. With this in mind, after twelve years service, the club
left the York & District League and entered the Allertonshire League
in an effort to boost gate revenue. Fortunes did indeed seem to change and the 1940’s saw the club to be much improved. |
In
the early 1950’s Ripon were a formidable force and in his autobiography
Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird recalls his father playing for Barnsley
F.C and beating Ripon City 1-0 in the Yorkshire Trophy Final at Oakwell.
1958 saw Ripon City win both the Ripon League Senior and Junior Charity
cups as well as reaching the final of both the Whitworth and Hulme cup. |
In
May 1962 a decision was taken to purchase the present ground at Mallorie
Park. In August 1977 Harrogate District Council approved plans for a
new clubhouse and changing rooms both of which remain in use today.
However in 1981, the rapid growth of the club saw plans for a new shower
block approved and these still remain one of the finest in our leagues. |
At
this time Ripon had an abundance of local football teams. One such team
was Ripon Y.M.C.A. who went on to become known as Ripon Yorkshire Magnets
A.F.C. This team was to become one of the most successful local teams
of that time and in July 1990 an amalgamation took place between Ripon
City and Yorkshire Magnets. With the onset of the 1991/92 season the
name of the club changed to Ripon City Magnets a name that took us into
our centenary year and beyond. |
So
what of the future for Ripon City Magnets A.F.C? The influence of Television,
Video and Computer seems to have heralded the demise of park football
among our youth and this could have an affect on future progress. |
As
we now commence the 2007/8 season we have two teams in the West Yorkshire
league, one in the Harrogate & District league and one in the Claro
Sunday League. The Academy team, who are funded by the Football Foundation,
play in the Durham Under 18 league and have produced players who are
now playing at senior level. This season we also see us add an under
seventeen team to our every growing family. We see this as a very positive
step which will bode well for the future. |
In
May 2006 the club were awarded The FA Charter Standard which will enable
the club to strive for a higher standard of football in the future.
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© Ripon City A.F.C - 2002/8
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