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Borough History
1953 - 2005
T
he Football Club was formed in 1953 by current Life President Joe McGorian, along with other servicemen who had returned from
serving overseas. The first headquarters were in the Solihull suburb of Olton, and the Club was known originally as Lincoln
FC. Joe McGorian became the first Chairman and Secretary of the Club, and served for over 30 years with the help of his mother
Delia, who worked alongside him until her death. In 1960 Jack Fox joined Joe and together they built the foundations of a
successful football club.
Solihull progressed through the local leagues and won various trophies before joining the
Midland Combination in 1969. The club spent a total of 22 seasons in the Midland Combination, 20 of which were in the Premier
Division. A highest position of second was achieved twice, in 1984/5 and in 1990/1 which resulted in promotion to the Southern
Football League.
In 1989 finances saw the club forced to sell their Widney Lane ground to property developers but a
proposed relocation to the Lucas Sports Ground in Streetsbrook Road fell through. A groundshare was quickly agreed with at
local neighbours Moor Green and this agreement was to last for ten years. In July 1991 the club mourned the loss of their
long standing Patron, Mrs Ella Anker, who was an outstanding worker for the club and who generously helped the club through
it's most difficult times.
The current campaign is Solihull Borough's 15th consecutive season in the Southern Football
League. Under the management of Ralph Punscheon they gained promotion to the Premier Division in their very first season in
1991/2, winning the Midland Division Championship with a record-breaking haul of 97 points. Solihull then spent the next three
seasons in the Premier Division, with sixth place in season 1992/93 remaining as Solihull's highest ever finish. In the same
season a place in the FA Cup First Round Proper was secured for the first time, before losing out to local rivals VS Rugby
in a replay.
The years spent groundsharing at Moor Green and Redditch United were frustrating times for Solihull. This
period in time resulted in the First Team, Reserves and Youth sides all having to play at different grounds. Despite the handicap
of not having a 'home' ground, honours came at regular intervals for all three teams, the highlight of which was winning the
Birmingham Senior Cup under John Morris in May 1995. In winning the Senior Cup Solihull created a record of defeating 4 Football
League sides in Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Walsall, and ultimately Aston Villa in the Final at Villa Park. Unfortunately
the season also ended in relegation back to the Midland Division.
Solihull reached the First Round Proper of the FA
Cup for only the second time in 1997/98 when Football League side Darlington were held to a 1-1 draw at their Feethams ground.
Now managed by former West Bromwich Albion player Paul Dyson, Borough also remained unbeaten in the replay before a record
crowd at the Moorlands in a 3-3 draw after extra time before losing in dramatic fashion to a penalty shoot-out. Striker Joey
Dowling finished as top scorer in the FA Cup competition that season. The 1997/98 season also saw Solihull finish a creditable
third place in the Midland Division. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Trophy for the first time and also came
within minutes of winning the Worcestershire Senior Cup Final against Conference side Kidderminster Harriers.
In 1998
Redditch United became another temporary home after plans for a new stadium at Tanworth Lane were rejected by the Secretary
of State. In 1994 Chairman John Hewitson and his Executive Committee began five years of hard work and their commitment finally
paid off as the Club ended their long search for a ground in Solihull with the purchase of the site at Damson Parkway. Solihull
moved into the former golf driving range and nightclub in August 1999 and commenced playing at Damson Park in time for the
start of the 2000/01 season.
In January 2000 former Coventry City player David Busst was appointed as Manager. Under
his leadership Solihull regularly finished in the top six in the Western Division but could never quite make the step up to
a promotion position. They also progressed to the Semi Finals of the Southern League Cup and the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy,
losing to Conference club Chester City in a replay. The pre-season visit of illustrious neighbours Birmingham City in July
2002 set a new Damson Park record crowd of 1,962. During the summer of 2003 long serving Chairman John Hewitson sadly passed
away and David Busst resigned as Manager.
The 2003-04 season therefore began with two new appointments with Trevor
Stevens as Chairman and Paul Holleran as Manager. The proposed reorganisation of the non-league system meant that a top seven
finish was required in order to win promotion to the new Southern League Premier. In an exciting campaign Solihull were never
out of the top ten and by March promotion was still within their grasp. However with just 8 games remaining Paul Holleran
resigned to take over at local rivals Halesowen Town and in order to help maintain continuity at such a crucial stage in the
season Assistant Manager Guy Russell was elevated to the position of Manager. A tense finish saw victory over Cinderford Town
on the last day of the season to secure 7th place and promotion.
Last season was always going to be an uphill struggle
in the new Premier Division and Solihull finished the season in bottom position. Assistant Manager Robin Judd took over in
a caretaker capacity towards the end of the season but by that stage the damage was already done. In the summer of 2005 former
West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City player Tony Dobson was appointed as Manager. Tony had 5 very successful years at Rugby
United and it is hoped that together with his Assistant Steve Shea they will bring their winning formula to Damson Park.
Damson
Park has become established as one of the best venues in the West Midlands and is renowned for its excellent playing surface.
In March 2003 the Football Association selected the ground to host the FA Sunday Cup Semi-Final between Travellers and Duke
of York, and a month later the Birmingham Senior Cup Final was staged. Then in April 2004 Damson Park staged the FA Women's
Cup Semi-Final between Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic, watched by a crowd of 1,234. International football came to
Solihull in May 2004 when the Club was honored to stage the Women's U19 International between England and Sweden. Then in
March 2005 the ground staged two UEFA U18 European Championship fixtures between Republic of Ireland - Northern Ireland and
Serbia and Montenegro - Northern Ireland
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