The roots of the team go back nearly twelve years to the 1990/91 season when,
as Stevenage Town, we first became affiliated to the Eastern Region Women’s
Football League (ERWFL) playing at the King George IV playing fields. In the
first few seasons as an eleven a side team women’s football was not as
established as it is today and the number of games were limited.
After four seasons, of being an independent team we were approached by Stevenage
Borough to become their ladies team, which we willingly accepted. The game was
growing and we needed to grow with it. The 1994/95 season started, we changed
our kit and home ground (Marriott’s School) and played under the Borough banner
for the following seven seasons, still with the ERWFL. However though we had the
Borough name we received only limited support in the first couple of seasons,
which lessened as the seasons rolled on. At the end of the 2000/01 season, we
finished the season on a low having struggled to field a team of eleven and on a
number of occasions travelling with the minimum number of players, in order to
fulfil a fixture. We all felt it was time to find a new home where we could be
looked after and have an opportunity to grow.
A number of phone calls and meetings later, we moved North and started the
2001/02 season as Letchworth Ladies. After all years of surviving on our own we
finally thought we had found the support of an established team. Unfortunately,
due to off the pitch issues between the Herts. FA and the Letchworth FC
committee, we had to go searching for a new home after only one season.
Fortunately it was Baldock Youth, who came to our rescue during the close of
season. We had a home ground and training facilities which enabled us to
continue in the ERWFL as the 2002/03 season started.
As the 2002/03 was coming to an end that we received a call from Arlesey Town
asking if we would be interested in meeting them with the aim of joining them
for the following season. However, following the Letchworth experience we were a
little apprehensive and so before committing the team played a couple of league
games at the ground and found that we had nothing to worry about. From the
moment we stepped through the door we felt at home and could not believe the
welcome and support we received. It was therefore decided by the team to become
Arlesey Town Ladies.
As the pre-season started for the 2003/04 season we finally felt that we had a
place to call home and our nomadic days were over. Due to a re-organisation of
the league we were to play in Division One. We knew this would be a tough
challenge but it was one we survived. This season proved to be a tough one for
the club and although relegation was never an issue Arlesey finished the season
with a record of played 20, won 6, drew 0 and lost 14. However the club had
seen a significant increase in the ability/confidence of the current players and
it was also starting to attract players to the once unfashionable club.
In 2004/05 Arlesey Town, embarked upon a season of consolidation. Having settled in their new ground and found there feet in the Eastern Region Division One West, they felt it was now time to push on. The club had attracted a number of players through the summer, growing the squad and everyone felt it was time to push on.
The team reached the County Cup final for the 1st time in it’s history beating Leighton Linslade, 3-0 in the semi final. As always in county competitions, Arlesey came up against opposition from a far higher level - Bedford Town Belles. The club took a coach for the journey to Stotfold (all of 3 miles) and were determined to ensure everyone enjoyed the day. The team were well supported in the crowd of around 200 people and even if the result didn’t go their way (losing 8-0) the County Cup Final will be remembered for a long time.
With a record of played 22, won 13, drew 1 and lost 8 Arlesey finished 5th, their highest league position ever. Everyone was very pleased and proud with the seasons finish and felt the next season was time to continue the clubs growth. With Arlesey’s improvement continuing bigger clubs in the region became interested and hanging on to their players became difficult. The club felt it necessary to find a source of young talent and affiliated with Shefford Youth girls. This would provide the club with talent in the future and hopefully ensure the clubs survival.
Season 2005-06 started brightly and Arlesey entered the FA cup for the first time their history. Although the draw was not kind the journey to Dover Athletic ensued and Arlesey’s FA cup history began. It felt like the club were embarking on a European campaign, with there opposition only 22 miles from mainland Europe. The club performed very well on the day and were unlucky to lose 5-3, in match that provided many thrills for both players and supporters who made the long journey to the game.
The league campaign was blighted by injuries to several key players and the loss of 2 players to clubs higher up the pyramid. However the club was fortunate of it’s squad size and many players were given the opportunity, they may not have had in previous seasons. A turnaround in form after the Christmas break dragged Arlesey out of the relegation zone and with 2 games to go they needed just 1 point to guarantee their place in the Eastern Region for the following season. The point came against local rivals Stevenage Borough, in a thrilling encounter. That point proved to be one of the most important in the clubs history and everyone was sure to enjoy the day. Final standings didn’t look pretty for the club playing 22, winning 5, drawing 3 and losing 14, finishing just 3 points out of the drop.
With the increased numbers at the club, it was time to increase playing opportunities and a development squad was introduced. They played similar sides on a monthly basis at Shillington FC. This was a great opportunity for people to try the 11-a-side game and find out how it worked for them. The Development squads record was excellent: winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 1 and it was an extremely worthwhile exercise which benefited the club as a whole.
Season 2006-07 was the most ground breaking of all and the club decided it was now finally possible to create a reserve team, who were to play in the Beds/Herts County League. This meant a huge increase in workload and the club was fortunate to find people willing to take on the roles that needed to be filled.
Although results weren’t kind and their league position would suggest the experiment was maybe a little too soon, the club felt it was the right decision. Also in sending out 2 full teams every weekend it was a significant step to the future of the club. They could now guarantee 28 players football weekend, something that other clubs in the region had struggled to do.
The first team also performed beyond anyone’s expectations and bettered the performance of 2004-05 with a record of played 18, won 9, drew 3 and lost 6 finishing in an unprecedented 4th position.
2007-08 brought a new era to the club and it was hoped both sides would take things to the next level.