Pirelli General F.C.
| Full name | Pirelli General Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Cablemen | ||
| Founded | 1916 | ||
| Dissolved | 2003 | ||
| Ground | Jubilee Sports Ground, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh | ||
|
| |||
Pirelli General F.C. were a long-running amateur football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. For a time they were the top club in the town and played in the Hampshire League until they ceased to exist in 2003.
History
The club was founded in 1916 as the works side of the Pirelli General cable making company.[1] They initially played in the Winchester & District and Eastleigh Leagues before transferring to the larger Southampton League.[2]
By 1933 Pirelli's were playing at Dew Lane (fondly known locally as 'Eastleigh Wembley') and were fielding six sides. The 1st Team enjoyed an excellent season, winning the Senior Division 1 title and the Southampton Senior Cup for first time. This saw them elected to the Hampshire League Division 2 where they finished runners-up in their debut season before winning the title the following year and establishing themselves in Division 1.[3]
Once normal football had resumed after World War II, Pirelli's returned to the county league where they were placed in Division 2 and 'The Cablemen' were regular FA Cup entrants at this time, although never progressing beyond the preliminary rounds.[4] However, despite winning the Hampshire Intermediate Cup in 1955–56, it was not until 1962–63 that Pirelli's returned to top flight when they won the Division 2 title.
In 1965 Pirelli's moved to their best known home ground at Chestnut Avenue in Eastleigh, and the club remained a steady Division 1 outfit, twice finishing 3rd in the late sixties.
The seventies was the golden age for Pirelli's, especially the 1971–72 season when they were Division 1 Champions.[5] The next fourteen years saw the club remain regular title contenders and in 1976–77 they caused a big upset when they defeated favourites Farnborough Town 1–0 to win the Hampshire Senior Cup.[6]
In 1986 the Wessex League[7] was formed (mostly by the Hampshire League's top clubs) but Pirelli's remained with the county league and were again champions in 1992–93.[8]
Despite the parent company moving out of Eastleigh, Pirelli's continued to play in the top-flight of the Hampshire League until the loss of their ground in 2003 saw the club withdraw from the competition and fold.[9]
Honours
1st Team
- Hampshire League
- Division 1 Champions 1971/72 and 1992/93
- Division 2 Champions 1934/35, 1962/63, Runners-up 1933/34 and 1946/47
- Hampshire Football Association [10]
- Senior Cup Winners 1976/77, Finalists 1968/69 and 1977/78
- Intermediate Cup Winners 1955/56
- Southampton Football Association [11]
- Senior Cup Winners 1932/33, 1935/36, 1965/66 and 1989/90, Finalists 1933/34 [12]
- Southampton League [13]
- Senior Division 1 Champions 1932/33
- All England Cable Makers Cup
- Winners 1951/52, 1974/75 and 1978/79
2nd Team
- Southampton League
- Senior Division 1 Champions 1935/36 and 1991/92
3rd Team
- Southampton Football Association
- Junior 'B' Cup Winners 1971/72
- Southampton League
- Junior Division 4 Champions 1957/58
- Junior Division 5 Champions 1990/91
Playing records
Hampshire League
| Season | Division | Position | Significant events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933/34 | Division 2 | 2/12 | Runners-up, not promoted |
| 1934/35 | Division 2 | 1/16 | Champions, promoted |
| 1935/36 | Division 1 | 6/16 | |
| 1936/37 | Division 1 | 4/16 | |
| 1937/38 | Division 1 | 15/16 | |
| 1938/39 | Division 1 | 16/16 | Relegated |
| 1939-46 | |||
| 1946/47 | Division 2 | 2/12 | Runners-up, not promoted |
| 1947/48 | Division 2 | 5/12 | |
| 1948/49 | Division 2 | 9/14 | |
| 1949/50 | Division 2 | 8/14 | |
| 1950/51 | Division 2 | 5/14 | |
| 1951/52 | Division 2 | 5/14 | |
| 1952/53 | Division 2 | 12/14 | |
| 1953/54 | Division 2 | 12/14 | |
| 1954/55 | Division 2 | 7/14 | |
| 1955/56 | Division 2 | 6/16 | |
| 1956/57 | Division 2 | 4/16 | |
| 1957/58 | Division 2 | 9/16 | |
| 1958/59 | Division 2 | 5/16 | |
| 1959/60 | Division 2 | 9/16 | |
| 1960/61 | Division 2 | 10/16 | |
| 1961/62 | Division 2 | 11/16 | |
| 1962/63 | Division 2 | 1/16 | Champions, promoted |
| 1963/64 | Division 1 | 11/16 | |
| 1964/65 | Division 1 | 8/16 | |
| 1965/66 | Division 1 | 9/16 | |
| 1966/67 | Division 1 | 7/16 | |
| 1967/68 | Division 1 | 3/16 | |
| 1968/69 | Division 1 | 3/16 | |
| 1969/70 | Division 1 | 10/16 | |
| 1970/71 | Division 1 | 4/16 | |
| 1971/72 | Division 1 | 1/16 | Champions |
| 1972/73 | Division 1 | 5/16 | |
| 1973/74 | Division 1 | 7/16 | |
| 1974/75 | Division 1 | 3/16 | |
| 1975/76 | Division 1 | 7/16 | |
| 1976/77 | Division 1 | 7/16 | |
| 1977/78 | Division 1 | 7/16 | |
| 1978/79 | Division 1 | 6/16 | |
| 1979/80 | Division 1 | 5/16 | |
| 1980/81 | Division 1 | 14/20 | |
| 1981/82 | Division 1 | 19/20 | Not relegated |
| 1982/83 | Division 1 | 5/20 | |
| 1983/84 | Division 1 | 3/20 | |
| 1984/85 | Division 1 | 5/20 | |
| 1985/86 | Division 1 | 9/20 | Re-organisation due to formation of Wessex League in 1986 |
| 1986/87 | Division 1 | 14/18 | |
| 1987/88 | Division 1 | 16/18 | |
| 1988/89 | Division 1 | 3/17 | |
| 1989/90 | Division 1 | 7/18 | |
| 1990/91 | Division 1 | 7/18 | |
| 1991/92 | Division 1 | 4/18 | |
| 1992/93 | Division 1 | 1/17 | Champions, not promoted |
| 1993/94 | Division 1 | 4/20 | |
| 1994/95 | Division 1 | 7/20 | |
| 1995/96 | Division 1 | 9/20 | |
| 1996/97 | Division 1 | 16/21 | |
| 1997/98 | Division 1 | 8/20 | |
| 1998/99 | Division 1 | 14/19 | |
| 1999/00 | Premier Division | 8/22 | Re-organisation |
| 2000/01 | Premier Division | 5/21 | |
| 2001/02 | Premier Division | 12/21 | |
| 2002/03 | Premier Division | 16/20 | Left competition |
FA Cup
| Season | Round | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947/48 | Extra-Preliminary Round | A v Andover | L 0–7 |
| 1948/49 | Extra-Preliminary Round | H v Romsey Town | L 2–5 |
| 1949/50 | Preliminary Round | H v Cowes | L 3–4 |
| 1950/51 | Extra-Preliminary Round | A v Thornycroft Athletic | D 5-5 |
| Replay | H v Thornycroft Athletic | W 3–2 | |
| Preliminary Round | H v Hamworthy United | L 1–2 |
FA Vase
| Season | Round | Opponents | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977/78 | Preliminary Round | H v Chichester City | W 2–0 |
| Round 1 | H v Farnham Town | W 6–1 | |
| Round 2 | A v Gosport Borough | L 1–3 | |
| 1981/82 | Preliminary Round | H v Sholing Sports | L 1–2 |
| 1982/83 | Preliminary Round | H v Romsey Town | L 0–1 |
| 1983/84 | Preliminary Round | H v Farnham Town | L 0–1 |
| 1984/85 | Preliminary Round | H v Thatcham Town | W 2–0 |
| Round 1 | H v Wilton Rovers | W 3–0 | |
| Round 2 | A v Sharpness | L 1–2 | |
| 1985/86 | Preliminary Round | H v Lancing | W 4–1 |
| Round 1 | H v Malden Vale | W 3–2 | |
| Round 2 | H v AFC Totton | L 0–2 |
Ground
Pirelli General played at the Jubilee Sports Ground at Chestnut Avenue in Eastleigh.
The 20 acre site had three adult pitches, with the main one enclosed with floodlights and a wooden stand. This, along with its easy access and large car park made the ground a popular choice for hosting local cup finals until it was redeveloped in 1993 with the addition of a golf range.
After the club's demise, the ground sat unused until 2010 when AFC Stoneham took up residence.[14] In 2020 the venue was sold for housing.
Notable players
Scottish striker Craig McAllister[15] began his career with Pirelli before joining neighbours Eastleigh in 2001 then going on to play professionally for a number of clubs.[16]
- See Pirelli General players for full list.
Local rivalries
With there being so many teams in the area, Pirelli General had many local rivals. These mostly included Eastleigh, AC Delco, Eastleigh Athletic and BTC Southampton.
References
- ^ "Pictures showing Pirelli FC teams in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s". Daily Echo. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ A Century of Southampton Local Soccer 1908-2008 by John Moody
- ^ A History of the Hampshire League 1896-1996 by Norman Gannaway
- ^ The FA Cup Club by Club Record Since 1945 by Tony Williams
- ^ "Football Club History Database - Hampshire League History". fchd.info. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Hampshire Football Association Centenary History 1887-1987 by Norman Gannaway
- ^ https://www.wessexleague.co.uk/history
- ^ A Tabulated History of the Hampshire League by Stephen Farmery
- ^ "PHOTOS: Pirelli General FC - Halcyon days of the Cablemen". Daily Echo. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Hampshire Football Association Yearbook 2005/06
- ^ Southampton Divisional Football Association Handbook 2017/18
- ^ Southampton Senior Cup – The Finals 1909-2022 by Gary Day
- ^ Southampton Football League Handbook & Directory 2018/19
- ^ Slominski, Stephen (11 September 2010). "AFC Stoneham move to Pirelli ground". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ James, Kieran (27 June 2012). "Craig McAllister makes it signing number 7 for Spitfires". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Gosport Borough swoop for Eastleigh frontman Craig McAllister". Daily Echo. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2025.