Many footballs have gone into the net since a few parents and boys first got together at Merton’s Recreation Ground in 1969, to play a game of football.
The sheer enthusiasm of the boys who turned up that day for an informal game prompted a few parents to think it worthwhile to start a junior football club.
Two teams were duly created, one under 13 and one under 16 and were subsequently entered into the Rugby & District Junior League, which was also starting up that year.
The aims of the club were then, as they are now to give boys from Hillmorton and surrounding areas the opportunity to play organised association football on a regular basis and with a view not only to improve their football skills, but also to give them the opportunity to take part in a healthy, character-building team game.
The club has never been run to primarily win leagues and cups, although it is always pleasing when it happens, but to promote team spirit and good sportsmanship above all else.
Of the cups and trophies won by Hillmorton, and there have been many, the ones that give us the most pleasure and satisfaction are the Sportsmanship Awards which have been presented to us on a number of occasions.
From the most modest beginnings of two teams, the club has steadily grown in size to its present 45 teams, starting at under 7’s and finishing at senior level.
In order to broaden it’s horizons the club became involved in the Town Twinning events in 1979, starting with our under 16’s visiting Evreux Athletic Club in France. This continued on a home and away basis until 1982. In that year, links with V.F.R. Football Club in Russelhiem, Germany were established, and each year the current under 16’s team would host one country and play away in the other during their last season with the club. In more recent years Hillmorton teams have played games in both Belgium and Holland, as well as taking part in numerous six-a-side tournaments around the Midlands every summer.
In addition we have first class coaching for children under the age of 7 in Rugby on Saturday mornings at Rugby Town’s Astro on Butlin Road in the form of Hillmorton Mini Kickerz.
Many hundreds of boys and girls have passed through the club over the years, some of them staying with us from under 7 to under 16. This speaks volumes not only for the loyalty of the players, but also for the dedication and ability of the people who have run the club over the past 55 years.
