Basing Rovers F.C. were a long running amateur football club based in Old Basing – a village located to the east of the town of Basingstoke in north Hampshire.
History Basing Rovers were founded in 1886 and spent their early days playing friendly fixtures Association Football in Hampshire until 1914 by Norman Gannaway before becoming founder members of the Basingstoke & District League in 1905.Basingstoke Football League Centenary by Norman Gannaway They spent many years playing in the competition, enjoying much success along the way before progressing on the North Hants League in the late seventies.Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887–1987 by Norman Gannaway
In 1984, Basing Rovers won the title and made a successful application to join the Hampshire League Division 3 where they quickly settled. Sizeable crowds were regularly attracted to their home games and this warranted the formation of a Supporters Club.Basing Rovers FC 1986/87 season matchday programme (A Fox)
Two years later, when a vast number of the competitions top clubs left en masse to create the Wessex League, Basing Rovers were then placed in a restructured Division 2, and a fifth place final placing was rewarded with an unexpected promotion to the top-flight.A History of the Hampshire League 1896–1996 by Norman Gannaway
The 1987/88 campaign was the most successful in the club's long history. They finished runners-up in Division 1 and won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup. However, the manager and players then left and they were relegated the following season.A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
Basing Rovers then became a steady Division 2 side, until 1996 when they finished rock-bottom and were relegated. The club continued to struggle in Division 3 and eventually withdrew midway through the 1999/00 season.https://fchd.info/lghist/hants2000.htm
Basing Rovers continued to play, retaining their Reserves position in the Basingstoke & District League until financial problems forced them to disband in 2001. A phoenix club was later formed, simply called Old Basing but the venture was short-lived.
Honours
Hampshire Football Association Hampshire Football Association Yearbook 2015/16 Intermediate Cup Winners 1987/88 Hampshire League Division 1 Runners-up 1987/88 North Hants League Champions 1983/84 Basingstoke & District League Division 1 Champions Division 2 Champions
Hampshire League record 1984–2000 SeasonDivisionPositionPldWDLFAPtsNotes1984/85Three9/183413615484732 1985/86Three4/18342068613946League restructure at end of season1986/87Two5/183215107583240 Promoted1987/88One2/18342257692949 1988/89One17/17327520366319 Relegated 1989/90Two14/183497183955343 points for a win 1990/91Two14/18349817546935 1991/92Two10/15269712545534 1992/93Two11/183411716478040 1993/94Two7/173215710645852 1994/95Two14/173210121428831 1995/96Two18/18341330341576 Relegated1996/97Three18/20388723558231 1997/98Three16/16302127421317Re-elected1998/99Three12/183491015577037 League restructure at end of season1999/00Two14/140000000withdrew – record expunged
Ground
Basing Rovers played their home games at the Recreation Ground, The Street, Old Basing, Hampshire. RG24 7DA.
The venue very much remains in use today. Owned by Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council, it has two football pitches, a large modern pavilion with ample parking. The ground is now used by Basing Royals youth football club and by Old Basing Cricket Club.https://www.oldbasing.gov.uk/clubs-and-societies-sport/
During the 1993/94 season, Basing Rovers temporarily played at the Camrose Ground, home of Basingstoke Town F.C.Basing Rovers FC 1993/94 season matchday programme (A Fox) whilst their pavilion was being refurbished.
Local rivalries
During their existence, Basing Rovers enjoyed a long running local rivalry with a number of clubs in the area. These mostly included Sherbourne St John, Hadleigh, Bramley United and Hook.
Successor club
The village is now represented by Basing Royals – a successful youth club founded in 2018.https://basingroyalsfc.co.uk/
Affiliated to the Hampshire Football Association, they are an Accredited Club and run numerous teams at various age groups. The club are ambitious to launch an adults side.
References
External links Basing Rovers at the Football Club History Database Hampshire League Final Tables Hampshire Soccer Archive Basing Royals FC Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council