Colne

Colne History

The ground was enclosed for the first time in 1975 when Colne Dynamoes joined the Lancashire Combination. At this time the area was shared with cricket, and grading difficulties arose when the Lancs Combination became the NW Counties League in 1982 as the club was unable to comply.

The next three years however, saw rapid development, with three covered areas, new dressing rooms, and floodlights all in place by 1985. A new stand was built the following year and in 1987/88 Dynamoes won the FA Vase and also took the League title, and with it promotion to Division One of the Northern Premier League.

Further developments followed as the club became full-time, and won promotion as champions in 1988/89. A third successive championship followed but despite all of the developments Holt House was still unable to meet Conference grading requirements, and the club folded during the close season.
Fortunately Colne Royal British Legion FC & Rock Rovers FC took over the ground, until Colne Legion resigned from the East Lancs League in 1995.
The newly formed Colne FC became the grounds third residents on their formation in 1996.

Colne F.C. were formed in January 1996, by a group of like-minded people under the wing of Mr Dave Blacklock. The enthusiasts combined their strengths and knowledge of non league football, and arrangements were made for a new club to use the vacant Holt House Stadium, once used by the Dynamoes, in the North West Counties Football League Division Two. Colne FC’s first ever competitive game was on the 17th August 1996 against Middlewich and the result ended in a 1 – 0 defeat. The team was then managed by Keith Mason, but after his resignation soon after, Denzil Hart was appointed to the hot seat. His first game was a 6 – 0 defeat away at Ashton Town, but just two games later Colne FC recorded their first ever victory thumping Bacup Borough 5 – 2.

The highlight of the season coming when the reserves won the BEP Cup at Clitheroe’s Shawbridge ground. The clubs fourth season was eagerly awaited, but in September 2000 manager Hart left the club by mutual agreement.

Player John Lister was placed in temporary charge and his appointment was made permanent a month later. Lister learned lessons from this campaign and in 2001/02 finished 14th .

In the summer of 2002 James Webster took control of the club, to become the youngest chairman in the league at the age of 24. James was a player at the club with plenty of experience and along with his father who was vice chairman, had a strong desire to see the current side emulate the success of its predecessors.
Season 2002/03 started well enough, but in December 2002 John Lister resigned as Manager. Paul Lynch took over as manager and the improvements continued, but in August 2003, Paul was offered the position of manager at Unibond side Rossendale United and subsequently left.

Webster responded immediately by appointing Nigel Coates as the new manager as well as player Gary Rishton as his number 2. Nigel had played for the Dynamoes, being in the FA Vase winning team and had experience of management at local rivals Nelson.

Season 2003/04 brought back the glory days to Colne with a string of successes. In the League Colne had to play catch up after a successful cup run, but ended the season 10 points clear in Division two, scoring 102 goals in their 38 games. They completed the double by winning the Division Two Trophy 1 – 0 over Great Harwood.

The season was capped by an amazing run in the FA Vase which saw them reach the Semi finals before bowing out 4 – 3 on aggregate to AFC Sudbury. As the season progressed attendances started to rise as the local population realised they were no longer the whipping boys of the league, and the infamous RED ARMY was formed.
Colne took little time in adjusting to life in the First Division, another FA Vase run and a creditable 10th place was secured in 2004 /05 Consolidation has followed and the current team has achieved Colne FC’s highest ever league position Their 2007-08 season final position of 5th is the highest they have so far reached.

The club has recognised the need to provide continuity and as such has begun a program of development, commencing with the first youth team who reached the final of the Blackburn league in 2003/04 season then becoming the reserve team competing in the NWCFL Reserve division for the last couple of years.
Winning the Cup double in their first season and reaching the semi final of the Hospital Cup the following year. All the while steadily improving and at the same time providing new talent for the first team to harvest.

Season 2009/10 started slowly with the team languishing 5th bottom of the Vodkat league at Xmas. However an amazing run of one league defeat in 2010 saw the Reds climb to finish a respectable 8th in the league with a very youthful squad. Manager Nigel Coates will be hoping to build on this for season 2010/11.

Season 2010/11 provided further improvements in the fortunes of the club. The reserve team accredited themselves well in the Galaxy Lancashire league reaching the West division cup final. The first team had a successful season finishing in a creditable 5th place in the league .

The squad from 2010/11 are available again and manager Nigel Coates and his team will be looking to further enhance the clubs reputation.