History

Gosport Borough FC, originally formed as Gosport Borough Athletic Club in 1944, won the Hampshire League in their first season (1945/46). They dropped “Athletic” in the 1960s, and despite being a major force in county football, silverware was scarce at Privett Park until back-to-back Hampshire League titles in 1976/77 and 1977/78.

These successes led to the club’s promotion to the Southern League for 1978/79, beginning a 14-year period at the upper levels of non-league football. After four seasons in the Southern League Southern Division, Gosport were promoted to the Premier Division in 1982, a level equivalent to the later National League South. They spent seven seasons there before relegation in 1990. A second relegation followed in 1992, sending the club to the Wessex League, though they won the Wessex League Cup in 1993.

Struggling financially, Chairman Ian Hay established a trustee scheme to keep the club afloat, with fans providing crucial support. The club’s fortunes improved in the early 2000s when reserve team manager Mick Marsh took over the first team. Under Marsh, Gosport contended for Southern League promotion for five seasons, finishing in the top four on four occasions before he retired in 2005.

Under manager Alex Pike, Gosport won the Wessex League title in 2007, returning to the Southern League. In 2011/12, they secured third place and promotion through the play-offs, with a dramatic final against Hemel Hempstead Town. The following season saw further success, including an unbeaten 23-match run and another play-off victory, securing promotion to the Conference South.

Gosport’s 2013/14 season in the Conference South was challenging, but an FA Trophy run to the final at Wembley gave the team renewed belief, despite losing 4-0 to Cambridge United in front of a crowd of 18,000 at Wembley. The financial windfall from the Trophy run funded improvements at Privett Park, including a new hospitality suite and pitch irrigation system.

The club continued to progress, reaching the First Round of the FA Cup in 2014/15, hosting League One Colchester United to whom they lost 6-3. They finished the league season in sixth place and won the Hampshire Senior Cup. The 2015/16 season began well, but financial difficulties led to a mid-season slump, though they ended the season with a Russell Coates Cup win.

After relegation in 2016/17 and a period of instability, the club was taken over by former Portsmouth chairman Iain McInnes. Under Lee Molyneaux, Gosport consolidated in the Southern League. Pat Suraci and Joe Lea were appointed head coaches in 2023 and finished in the play-offs at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Form

Gosport Borough are currently 13th in the Southern League Premier South, with 21 points accumulated from their 15 league matches so far this season.

They have been in fine form of late – unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions. They also beat National League South outfit Tonbridge Angels in the previous round of the FA Trophy.

Last six
30/11 – Plymouth Parkway (H) – Drew 0-0
23/11 – Chertsey Town (A) – Won 0-2
20/11 – Clanfield (H) – Won 4-1 (Portsmouth Senior Cup)
16/11 – Tonbridge Angels (H) – Won 1-0 (Isuzu FA Trophy)
13/11 – Dorchester Town (H) – Drew 2-2
02/11 – Poole Town (A) – Won 1-3

The Managers

Pat Suraci and Joseph Lea are join-managers at Gosport Borough.

The pair were appointed in the summer of 2023 following a successful first season of managing in men’s football at Petersfield Town where they guided the Rams to promotion to the Wessex Premier Division.

In their first season in charge at the Gosport Borough, the young management pairing led the Boro to a play-off place finish last season.

The Captain

Former Havant & Waterlooville man Rory Williams is club captain at Gosport Borough.

Pacey left-back Rory Williams started his footballing life in the Boro youth ranks, before departing the club in 2011. He was re-signed part-way through the 2012/2013 campaign and instantly struck up a fine strike partnership with Dan Wooden. The pair fired Boro’ to Conference South promotion and Rory went on to feature in the FA Trophy final at Wembley in 2014.

He departed Gosport for Havant & Waterlooville in 2016, starring for the Hawks as they won back-to-back promotions. Just after signing a new deal at Westleigh Park, he moved to Conference South side Dorking Wanderers in 2019, staying just a few weeks before returning home to Privett Park.

Key Player

Striker Dan Wooden has led the line at Gosport Borough for over a decade.

Gosport legend Dan Wooden first joined the club all the way back in 2010 after impressing coach Tony Stares during his time at Moneyfields. Operating as a left winger or striker, Woody helped the Boro to back-to-back promotions from the Southern League Division One South & West to the Conference South – both via the playoffs.

The success kept on coming as well, with Dan featuring in the 2014 FA Trophy final at Wembley and in an FA Cup First Round tie against Colchester United. After a fruitful spell, he rejoined Moneys in 2017 before moving to AFC Portchester, where he reunited with former Boro’ boss Mike Catlin. Wooden finally returned home to Privett Park this summer, much to the delight of fans.