History
History of Ambleside United
The Club played in the first ever Senior Challenge Cup Final losing to Windermere 5-1.
They played again in 1900 losing 4-1 to Milnthorpe.
We made amends in 1908 beating Burneside 3-2.
...and in 1923 beating Netherfield 2-0.
Up to the 2nd World War the Westmorland League generally consisted of between 7 to 11 teams of which Ambleside were one.
The league started again after the war in 1946. Ambleside finished 7th in the first season from 11 and 5th from 13 the next.
Ambleside YMCA formed a team and played in the 2nd Division.
In the 1950/51 season Ambleside were relegated and stayed there until the late 1950s, whilst the YMCA team was promoted. Part of the YMCA team was a young Ken Thornborough who was eventually to be the Ambleside manager who helped start a revival of fortunes for the club in the late seventies.
The NorthWest Combination League was formed and the YMCA first team joined the new league.
The Ambleside and Ambleside YMCA amalgamate. An article in the Westmorland Gazette dates 2/9/60 reads 'An interesting development has taken place in Ambleside with the amalgamation of the two football clubs of Ambleside and Ambleside YMCA. Several preliminary meetings between the two clubs have been held and a strong management committee has now been formed , although a few details have yet to be arranged. It is anticipated that the club will soon be firmly established. There is plenty of enthusiasm amongst the payers and officials to make a success of the new venture and an appeal has been made to local sportsmen to become members and patrons. 2 teams will be fielded. The 1st team in the North West Combination and the other 2 in the 1st and 2nd divisions of the Westmorland League. The new club will be known as Ambleside YMCA United'.
At the end of the 1961/62 season the North West Combination finished and the 1st team rejoined the Westmorland League Division 1.
The Westmorland County Senior Cup Final was reached in 1960 and 1965 but on both occasions were beaten by Shap 5-0. With many players retiring after this season the club entered tough period. They were relegated in 1966/67 and remained in Division 2 until promotion in 1979/80.
The revival in the fortunes of the club began in the late 1970s. The club was again able to field 2 teams and numerous quality young players emerged.
Prior to promotion, in 1977/78 they won the Mason and Freeman Cup beating Appleby Reserves 1-0.
The club bought the football field. Hard work by the committee members and players raised the money to purchase in quick time. Donations and loans were given to the club with the loans paid back on time.
The club won the Invitiation Trophy and the Benevolent Trophy.
The club won the High Sheriff's Cup.
The league proved difficult to win but it was finally acheived in 1989/90. The title was in the balance until the last match of the season with fellow contenders Kendal County having to win their last match by a very high margin.
The club won the Benevolent Trophy
The 1990s saw the clubhouse being built. This proved a difficult project but was finally acheived and was opened in 1995. The field was also renamed Hillard Park after a very generout benefactor: Ada Hillard.
The 1st team was relegated for one season in the 1990s but bounced back the next season.
The club won the Benevolent Trophy.
After being difficult to win the Division 1 title was won in 3 consecutive seasons 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.
The club won the Benevolent Trophy.
The committee took the decision to apply for permission to join the prestigious North West Counties League and the Reserve team playing in Westmorland Division 3. Although winning their first game, only 4 points were achieved in the first 6 matches. A settled team then began to find their stride and a highly creditable 3rd position in the league achieved. The Reserve side also had an excellent season winning the 3rd Division Championship and Peter Dawes Memorial Trophy.
The 2011/12 season was the best in the club's history to date. The First Team were West Lancs Division 2 champions and they won the Senior County Cup, the first time since 1923. They completed the treble by winning the West Lancs League Div 2 Challenge Cup. The Reserves also won the Westmorland Division 2 Championship at the first attempt.
The 2012/13 season started well but in December the manager departed for the manager job at Kendal Town. Most of the senior players also moved to play for Kendal Town. The Ambleside team carried on under difficult circumstances and both managed to stay in their respective leagues.
Under new management and a different looking squad, the First Team retained their position in the league as did the Reserve Team in what was a difficult season. The First Team valiantly reached the final of the Benevolent Cup and Senior Cup but lost in both.
The 2014/15 season was a grim one. Difficulties raising two teams throughout. The manager resigned in January and the failing to fulfil the final two fixtures forced the First Team to withdraw from the West Lancs League. The reserves managed to eventually complete their fixtures after numerous cancellations.
The First Team rejoined the Westmorland League. And to 2018/19 there has been various managers and an unsettled feel to the club.
2016/17 saw them bottom of the league but not relegated.
Bottom again in 2017/18 and the Reserve Team failed to complete its fixtures so were forced to withdraw from the league.
A new start occurred in the 2019/20 season with Graham Routledge taking charge to steady the ship. This has been successful so far...
Following COVID interruption and Westmorland 2nd Division consolidation the team were promoted at the end of the 2022/23 season and won the Mason and Freeman Cup Final. A memorable season for all concerned.
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