Early Years
Fleet FC originally played at the bottom of The Views, near where Campbell Close now stands, before moving to Watsons Meadow on Fleet Road, opposite the present-day Travis & Perkins site. During this period, a young Clement Attlee played for the club, with his aunt living in a house backing onto the ground.
In 1923, Lord Calthorpe of Elvetham Hall made available land on Crookham Road, and Fleet played their first match there on 3 March 1923. The ground was later bequeathed to the local authority on the condition it would remain the town’s football ground. Floodlights were installed in 1953.
League Progression and Growth
Fleet entered the Hampshire League in 1961 and changed their name to Fleet Town FC in 1963. Success followed with promotion from Division Two in 1963–64 and a Division Two championship in 1965–66. The club made its FA Cup debut in 1966–67 and finished runners-up in Hampshire Division One in 1972–73.
After spells of promotion and relegation through the 1970s, Fleet joined the Athenian League in 1978 before moving into the Combined Counties League in 1984 due to ground grading issues. Further league changes followed, including time in the Surrey Premier League and Chiltonian League, before joining the Wessex League in 1989.
The club enjoyed major success in 1994–95, winning the Wessex League and earning promotion to the Southern League. Despite relegation in 1999–00, Fleet bounced back immediately as Wessex League runners-up under player-manager Steve Beeks.
High Points and Cup Success
The mid-2000s were among the club’s strongest periods. Managed by former England international Andy Sinton, Fleet reached play-offs, a Hampshire County Cup final, and recorded their highest non-league finishes. The 2008–09 season was particularly memorable, with four cup wins including the Hampshire Senior Cup, lifted in front of over 1,200 supporters at St Mary’s Stadium.
Transition and Rebuilding
Significant changes followed in 2010, with a change in leadership and management. The club moved between Southern League divisions, suffering relegation in 2011–12 but retaining its place through an FA reprieve. Under Chairman Steve Cantle and manager Craig Davis, stability returned before the devastating loss of Cantle in 2016.
After relegation in 2018–19, a new board supported manager Dave Kelly in rebuilding both on and off the pitch, with improvements made across the ground.
Modern Era
Fleet joined the Combined Counties League Premier Division South in 2021–22. In 2022–23, the club underwent major structural change, bringing men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ sections under a unified community model. A new club badge was launched in partnership with Brandtastic, reflecting a modern and inclusive identity.
The 2023–24 season saw FA 3 Star Accreditation achieved and the launch of Pan-Disability football. The Women’s First Team won the North Hants Divisional Cup, while the men’s structure expanded with reserves and U18s reintroduced.
Recent Seasons
The 2024–25
A historic season! The Women were crowned Southern Regional Women’s League champions and promoted to Tier 5, following an impressive Women’s FA Cup run. The Men reached the FA Vase last 16 for the first time and finished 5th in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, narrowly losing a play-off semi-final on penalties.
In 2025–26
After a full squad departure, rebuild and inconsistent early results, Men’s First Team manager Darryll Evans departed, via mutual agreement midway through the season. Former assistant Warren Burton was appointed manager, with Simon Payne joining as assistant, marking the next chapter in Fleet Town FC’s long and evolving story.
