YEOVIL NEWS: Day of celebration for Pen Mill FC’s 30th anniversary – what a result!

YEOVIL NEWS: Day of celebration for Pen Mill FC’s 30th anniversary – what a result!

THE Yeovil-based Pen Mill Football Club will be holding a 30th anniversary party on Saturday (May 28, 2016) to celebrate its fabulous past and to look forward to an exciting future.

YEOVIL NEWS: Day of celebration for Pen Mill FC’s 30th anniversary – what a result!It was back in 1986 when the newly-formed club held the first of many football tournaments it has organised down the years at Pen Mill School.

The tournament was such a success it launched the Yeovil and District Under-12s League and with it the first game between Pen Mill and St John’s.

But the end of 1987 season Pen Mill had won the first of many trophies and also saw the club form a ladies team made up of mums and sisters.

As the youth side of the club continued, Pen Mill had its first-ever men’s side compete in 1991.

The club’s tenth anniversary in 1996 saw Pen Mill boast nine teams which meant it had to say goodbye to playing games at Pen Mill School, Mudford Recreation Ground and at Chilthorne Domer and move to a new headquarters at Johnson Park where it still remains today.

The 20th anniversary of the club in 2006 saw it hold the first of three 24-hour football matches.

The club’s legendary inspiration and chairman Derrick Mapletoft said: “Over the years we have raised money for various charities and good causes including a number of people close to the club who became ill.”YEOVIL NEWS: Day of celebration for Pen Mill FC’s 30th anniversary – what a result!

Pen Mill was awarded the Charter Standard from the Somerset Football Association in 2007 and more fundraising and support from the Yeovil Sports and Social Club and grants enabled the club to open newly-built changing facilities at Johnson Park all with disabled access.

The men’s first team were Premier Division champions in the Yeovil and District Football League in 2009 and it was around the same time that Pen Mill reformed its ladies team.

The club celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011 at Johnson Park and in the past five years Pen Mill has gone from strength to strength with an Under-6 team having started, the Over-35 Veterans team having entered the Somerset Vets League, as well as Under-15 and Under-10 girls teams.

The club is now 30 years old and during the past season Pen Mill had nine teams reach various cup finals – Under-7 Dragons, Under-8 Predators, Under-9s, Under-11 Pumas, Under-12 Predators, Under-13s, Under-15 Girls, the Sunday Morning Men’s 1st team, and the Ladies.

The club recently met at Huish Park – the home of Yeovil Town FC – for an official photo where representatives of Pen Mill’s 20 teams gathered.

YEOVIL NEWS: Day of celebration for Pen Mill FC’s 30th anniversary – what a result!Derrick added: “The future is looking good as well. Next season we will have a ladies reserves side, more youth teams and our 30th annual tournament in August.”

But all focus is now on Saturday (May 28, 2016) with a full day of events and activities to celebrate 30 years of Pen Mill FC.

Between 2pm and 4pm there will be a host of football challenges for people to get involved with at Johnson Park and then at 4pm there will be the annual presentation of awards.

A celebration match between a Secretary’s X1 and Chairman’s X1 will take place from 4.30pm involving players who were involved in the club’s first-ever match back in 1986.

There will be a walking football game from 5.45pm for anyone wanting to try out this new activity which is designed for the older person.

At 6.30pm there will be a sponsored balloon race and evening entertainment will start at 8pm.

Times and events may change – but the party will go on for Pen Mill FC.

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