In the beginning
Now over sixty years old, Gosport Borough Athletic Club was founded just two weeks after the D-Day landings in 1944 in an initiative to bring back organised football, athletics, swimming and cycling to the town after a break of several years.

In their first season (1944/45), the football section of the Club finished as runners-up in the Portsmouth and District League Division One under the guidance of former Southampton player, Stan Cribb. The team at that time included Jimmy Scoular and Peter Harris who both went on to become full internationals.

For their second season, the Club were accepted into the Hampshire League and won the Division One title at their first attempt. This feat was not to be repeated for thirty-one seasons despite being a major force in Hampshire football during that period.

The Southern League years
After winning the Hampshire League title in successive seasons (1976/77 and 1977/78), Gosport were elected to the Southern Football League. In the team's first four seasons they never finished outside the top four and when the League was restructured for the start on the 1982/83 season, Gosport were placed in the Premier Division.

Two years later Boro' lost their Premier Division status and was relegated to the Southern Division. However the next season saw the team bounce straight back after an incredible run of sixteen wins in the final nineteen matches earned them the runners-up spot and promotion. In fact, Gosport needed to win the final match to be certain of promotion and in front of a home crowd in excess of 1,500 they demolished Salisbury 5-0.

In the 1987/88 season the team were once again threatened with relegation. In fact until the April of that season Boro' had looked odds-on favourites for the drop but a run in the Hampshire Senior Cup that took the all the way to the Final at The Dell lifted the players spirits. A thrashing of the favourites Farnborough Town in the final was followed by a good run of results in the League lifting the team out of trouble to remain in the Premier Division.

The Club enjoyed their highest ever finish in the 1988/89 season when seventh place in the Premier Division was achieved. Unfortunately, a mass exodus of players and a change in the management saw the Club relegated to the Southern Division and two years later (1992) to the Wessex League.

The Boro' in the Wessex
Following relegation, the Chairman at the time Ian Hay appointed Roger Sherwood as manager. Although Boro' had three good seasons with Roger, the Jewson Wessex League Cup in 1992/93 was his only major success.

After the departure or Roger Sherwood at the start of the 1995/96 season, the Management Committee undertook a review of the Clubs policies. It was decided to commence a period of financial consolidation and re-structuring was required.

In 1997, Boro' approached Gomer Football Club, a successful youth club to form an affiliation. Not only did it given the senior club the ability to tap into local talent as it emerged through the ranks but it also gave the boys the opportunity to aim for a higher standard of football than they might normally achieve when youth football ended.

Boro's position in the Jewson Wessex League continued to deteriorate until former reserve team manager Mick Marsh was appointed as the new first team manager in December 1999 and the corner was turned.

On the way back
Marsh, along with his assistant Gary Lee had five seasons at the helm. In Marsh's five seasons the club finished in the top four on four occasions and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase in 2003/04.

With Marsh retiring from the game at the end of the 2004/05 season to move to Spain, the Club appointed John Robson his successor but Robson's tenure only lasted a few months until December 2005 when the club appointed Alex Pike as first team manager.

In his first full season in the hot-seat, Alex lived up to his high standards and Boro' lifted the Sydenhams League Championship - their first title in 29 years. The silverware was won on the very last day of the season at title rivals AFC Totton. Boro' had to avoid defeat by two goals to lift the title and in a nervous afternoon eventually lost 1-0 to win the Championship on goal difference only.

With the title in the bag, Boro' officials and supporters waited for the news from the FA on their application for promotion. Two weeks after lifting the title, the news came through from Soho Square and Boro' were elected back into the Southern League for the 2007/08 season.

Back in the Southern
After completing two solid seasons back in the Southern League, the club are looking again to promotion and the continuing climb back up the non-league ladder.

Elsewhere the Club continues to expand. The youth structure, in association with Gosport Borough Youth, has grown and now consists of teams from under 18s down to under 7s and includes girls teams. In addition, the Club has a Ladies team, a veterans side and also run a "pub league" team on Sundays.

Admission prices for 2009/10
Adults £7 (season ticket £110)
Concessions £3.50 (season ticket £55). Under 12s are admitted free with a paying adult.
Please note that the prices quoted are valid for first team league games and prices may vary for FA competitions and certain other fixtures.

At the ground
The Inn off the Post club house is open before, during and after the game and show Sky Sports games.
The tea bar and club shop are open approximately one hour before kick off and during the game.

Disabled access
Almost all of the GHS Stadium is accessible to spectators in wheelchairs - the exception being the main stand which can only be reached through a flight of steps and the Club Shop.
The pitch is surrounded on all four sides with hardstanding and cover from the elements is available in a small covered area opposite the main stand.
Toilet facilities for the disabled are available in the Club House and can be accessed from both the ground and bar. The Club House itself is also wheelchair friendly.

Near the ground
The Cocked Hat is a large, family friendly pub serving food all day. It is approximately five minutes walk from the ground. There is also a Chinese takeaway and a fish and chip shop within three minutes walk of the ground.

How to find us
Road
Leave the M27 at junction 11 and follow the signs "A32 Gosport". After approximately four miles you will reach two roundabouts in quick succession. Go straight ahead at the first and take the third exit (signposted "Alverstoke, Stokes Bay, Privett Park") at the second. Follow this road (Military Road) until reaching the roundabout at the Cocked Hat pub. Take the first exit into Privett Road. The ground is signposted on the left after 300 yards.
Parking is available for approximately 40 vehicles. On street parking is available but we would as you to park considerately and respect our neighbours. Please do not block driveways.

Public transport
The nearest railway station to the ground is Portsmouth Harbour which is served by trains from across the region.
Cross the harbour by the regular ferry service which departs from the Gosport Ferry pontoon immediately adjacent the railway station (£2.30 return).
Gosport Bus Station is situated alongside the Gosport pontoon and services 34 and 72 pass within yards of the ground (one bus on each service per hour). The journey time from the bus station to Privett Park is approximately ten minutes.

Ground Address
GHS Stadium
Privett Park
Privett Road
Gosport
PO12 3SX

www.gosportboroughfc.com/main.htm

Kick off 3pm.