Mildenhall Town are a long established club, formed in August 1898. Club records from the early years are vague, but it is known that the club won the Suffolk Junior Cup as long ago as 1899/1900 when they defeated Southwold R.A. Volunteers 4-0 in the final.
Mildenhall had to wait 93 years for their next County success when in 1992/93 the reserves won the Cambs. Junior Cup. The following season the reserves lifted another Cambridgeshire trophy, the magnificent Creake Shield, and then went onto complete a league and cup double the season after that by again winning the Junior Cup and the Cambs. Div 1b trophy.
The first team then carried on a successful spell of winning silverware in Cambridgeshire by winning the prestigious Cambs. Invitation Cup at the first attempt in season 1995/96.
Having played at a variety of sites in the town during their early history, the club moved to the current pitch at the end of the Second World War and ground shared with the cricket club. At the end of the 1971 season the cricket club vacated the shared ground and it is minuted that the cricket club sold their gang mowers to the football club in return for the £28 held in the caretaker fund jointly held by the clubs.
The first team joined the Bury & District League in 1945 and left for the Cambs. League in 1969. Having worked their way through the leagues, they eventually gained senior status with promotion to the Cambs. Premier League in 1975.
The reserves joined the Bury & District League around 1962/63 after previously competing in the now defunct Cambs. & Suffolk Border League. They then moved on to the Cambs. League for the start of the 1982/83 season and are still there, now playing in the Kershaw Senior League.
Wishing to make further progress, the club was accepted into the newly established Jewson Eastern Counties League Division 1 for the 1988/89 season. This necessitated the first steps in ground improvements, which was to provide fencing around the ground perimeter and a rail around the pitch. Concrete hard standing was laid then a covered stand for 250 spectators. All this was achieved over 2 years whilst we still occupied the old clubhouse site outside the fence at the top of the ground.
The next major challenge was to build a new clubhouse, this was completed in December 1991 and officially opened in March 1992. The original changing rooms were also upgraded at this time. Then to meet League requirements floodlights were installed for the start of the 1994/95 season.
The old changing rooms were destroyed by fire on 22nd December 1995 and the club was allowed to use the Parish Council facilities on the Jubilee fields on a short-term basis.
After we had been successful in gaining a sports council lottery grant the new changing rooms development was started on 23rd July 1997 and officially opened by Ipswich Town FC Chairman David Sheepshanks on 19th February 1998.
In 1998 we also installed through the Environment Agency our own bore hole and pop up sprinkler system to ensure the club will always have the best possible playing surface.
We have spent a great deal on money on bringing the ground to a high standard and the effort
was rewarded when we gained promotion to the Premier Section of the Jewson League for the
first time under the guidance of Steve O’Donohue and Rob Steele in 1999.
During the close season, many weeks were spent in improving facilities to comply with the Premier League standards. The effort was all worthwhile as we finished 6th in the league and reached two county cup finals (unfortunately losing both).
In Season 2000/2001 we finished in 15th position and during the summer former Chatteris Town manager Trevor Munns arrived at the club to replace Rob Steele.
The 2001/2002 season saw us finish in mid table, however we had an extended run in the FA vase and during that close season further work was carried out at the ground, including the erection of a new perimeter fence behind the dug outs.
In July 2002, Martin Tuck became Chairman, replacing Brian Brigden who stood down after 10 years at the helm. In October 2002, Steve O’Donohue resigned as joint Manager and Trevor Munns was appointed sole First Team Manager. One month later Alec Banthorpe joined the club as Assistant Manager and First Team goalkeeper.
The 2002/2003 season on the field saw the team finish a creditable 10th position in the league and were beaten finalists to AFC Sudbury, in the Suffolk Premier Cup.
Last season (2003/2004) we just missed out on a top 10 finish, but during the season the management team put together a fine young squad of players mostly from clubs at a higher level. Encouragingly, the entire squad has signed up for 2004/0005 and exciting times are awaited. The ongoing objectives for the club are continued improvement and progression.
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