Local team adventure - Bringing the glory days back to Tiverton Town

Club History

The club was established in 1913 as Tiverton Athletic, and initially played at the Athletic Ground. They joined the East Devon League, winning the Senior Division in 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27 and 1927–28. They then joined the North Devon League, winning it in 1931–32, after which they transferred to the Exeter & District League, which they won in 1933–34.

In 1951–52 the club won the league's Senior Division, and in 1956 won the Devon Senior Cup for the first time. They won the league again in 1964–65 and 1965–66, a season in which they also won the Senior Cup for a second time.

In 1973 the club joined the Western League. They were relegated to Division One at the end of the 1980–81 season after finishing bottom of the league. After finishing as runners-up in 1988–89, they were promoted back to the Premier Division. Following two fourth-placed finishes, the club finished third in 1991–92, second in 1992–93 (a season in which they also won the League Cup for the first time), and won the league and League Cup double in 1993–94. They won the league again the following season, and after finishing as runners-up in 1995–96, a season in which they also picked up the League Cup, achieved back-to-back titles again in 1996–97 (a double season) and 1997–98. They also won the FA Vase in 1998, beating Tow Law Town 1–0 in the final.

In 1998–99 the club won the FA Vase again, beating Bedlington Terriers 1–0, and finished second in the league, earning promotion to Division One West of the Southern League. In 2000–01 they finished second, and were promoted to the Premier Division, where they remained until 2011. In 2006–07 they won the Southern League Cup.

On 18 April 2012 it was announced in the national press that Tiverton had appointed 27-year-old internet entrepreneur Matthew Conridge as their new chairman. Believed to be one of the youngest football chairman in the UK ever Conridge was quoted as saying, "I'm not here to chuck thousands of pounds into a black hole, I'm here to pull everyone together and work with a good team......This club will not spend more than it can afford to chase a dream......If we can't afford a budget to go to Blue Square Bet South we won't pay it".

On 30 April 2013 Tiverton Town released a press release as follows "Tiverton Town can confirm that Matthew Conridge has stepped down as Chairman of Tiverton Town to pursue other business interests. The club would like to place on record its gratitude for all his hard work whilst in the position. Former Tivvy Chairman Dave Wright is taking over the position of Chairman for the time being. The club also wishes to confirm the departure of interim manager Jamie Ward together with his assistant Paul Short.
In May 2013 Tiverton town released the following press release to announce the arrival of John Clarkson as their new manager "John Clarkson was tonight introduced to the media and Tivvy fans at a press conference at Ladysmead. Clarkson has arrived from Spain where he was manager of Ontinyent in Segunda B. He had been managing in Spain for the last six years".

In May 2014, Tiverton Town manager John Clarkson stepped down from the position following the teams disappointing 2-0 Devon Bowl Final defeat to Plymouth Parkway who were playing in the league below Tiverton. He had led the side to the play-off's, where they lost to 9-man Paulton, and two Cup finals but cited the last couple of months as the reason he was going, "The last couple of months have really taken it out of me, three or four games a week was just too much" He added,"I'm off to take my coaching badges during the summer and once I've completed them I will decide on what I'm going to do" Despite a much higher wage budget than other teams in the league (due to John Clarkson's financial input) the club could not reach its aim of promotion in its centenary season. At the end of the season many of the club's higher profile players left following John Clarkson's resignation and the reduction of the wage budget. Yellows legend Martyn Rogers was named as Clarkson's replacement and given the task of rebuilding the squad on a much more restricted wage budget.

First team squad and reserve team squad pics attached.

First game of the season and a fortunate win.

Tiverton finish the season as league winners, pipping Paulton to the title on the last day of the season by goal difference.