Southwell City was formed in 1893 and plays its football in the shadow of the magnificent Norman Minster which became a Cathedral just prior to the club’s formation. Hence the name Southwell City, despite the fact that City status has never officially been conferred on the market town.
Records from the early years are sketchy. One of the earliest club photos dates back to 1911, when the team won the final of the Newark and District League Challenge Cup. Sadly, many of the players in that team would go on to lose their lives fighting for their country in the 1st World War.
The Southwell City team photo of 1922/23 featured Barney Johnson, landlord of the George and Dragon pub (now known as The Bramley Apple Inn).
The club was reformed in 1955. At the time, City played home games on Crafts Fields in Southwell, which is now a housing estate. After competing in the Newark & District Alliance, the club joined the Notts Football Alliance in 1957. City competed in this competition until the end of the 2002/03 season, when it took the decision to move to the Central Midlands League.
In 1995 City regained its Senior Division status under manager Mick Heron. The first year saw a struggle against relegation and Heron resigned at the end of the season. The club turned to its then Reserves manager, John Campbell. The first year saw consolidation and the following year City achieved its highest position in its history. In total John Campbell was manager for 9 years and enjoyed the most successful period in the club’s history, being runners-up twice, third, and eventually winning the coveted Senior Division championship in 2000/01.
Cup success has been rare for City with only two wins in seven finals. However the Notts Alliance Senior Cup was eventually won in 2001/02. City reached the final of the Notts Senior Cup twice. First in 1989 under ex-Forest professional Colin Barrett, where they lost to Eastwood Town 2-0, and secondly in 2002 when they lost 1-0 to Gedling Town in a closely fought County Senior Cup Final at Meadow Lane. This success on the field was matched by the club’s investment in its facilities, with City having modern changing facilities and an excellent clubhouse and bar. Floodlights were installed in 2001.
In 2003/04 City joined the CML, and in their first season gained promotion from the Premier Division having finished second to Radcliffe. City’s first season in the Supreme Division saw them consolidate as they finished 14th. At the end of 2004/05, John Campbell decided to retire and City appointed Brett Marshall as their new manager. City finished a creditable 4th in the Supreme Division in 2005/06, 8th in 2006/07, and 7th in 2007/08. They were also runners-up in the Floodlit Cup in 2007/08. Mark Nangle took over as manager for 2008/09 and finished 12th and 13th in the next two seasons.
In 2012, City merged with Southwell Amateurs to continue to build one of the biggest clubs in Nottinghamshire. After two strong seasons under the management of Dave Scott, City then spent the next two and a half seasons in turmoil, with the squad in disarray and significant change off the pitch.
In January 2016, the first team appointed Tom Macdonald as manager, assisted by Jonny Upton and Freddie Danby. In the summer, Russ Hullett and Shaun Stocks also joined the management team. While developments continued on the pitch, the executive committee worked hard off it to refurbish the clubhouse and raise the club’s standards.
In May 2019, with Jonny Upton now manager, the team finished a great season by winning the Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League Senior Cup with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Stapleford Town. This was City’s first trophy since 2002.
Still under manager Upton, City won the Notts Senior League in 2021/22. After a shaky start, the team went on an unbeaten run that broke all previous club records, including 16 consecutive victories in league and cup. This was the club’s first league title in 21 years. This success earned City promotion to Step 6 of the National League System for the first time in the club’s history, joining the United Counties League Division One.
Today, the club operates across two grounds. Younger juniors play at the Memorial Ground, in the shadow of Southwell Minster, while those who have moved up to 11-a-side football, along with all adult teams, play at the Centenary Ground, the club’s main facility and home of the first team. The club has grown to over 400 players across 41 teams, spanning age groups from five years old to veterans, and including boys’, girls’, ladies’, men’s, and disability football.
In recognition of this breadth and commitment to inclusive, community football, Southwell City FC holds FA England Accredited Community Club status at the highest level: three stars, a reflection of the club’s work across all sections of the community it proudly serves.