The following notes are gleaned from information provided to dannyhowellnet by Robin George:
September 2004
September 2004 is a time for celebrating two decades of youth football at Highbury, Warminster.
Twenty years ago Celtic Boys (Warminster) Football Club played their first game at Highbury. The club was run by Fred Pinnell.
Harry Theobald had chatted with Fred Pinnell about the possibility of organising football matches for Warminster teenagers. Fred introduced Harry to Bob Pitman, who was considering the same idea. The hope was that youth teams could progress to becoming senior players with Warminster Town F.C.
An evening meeting was held on Thursday 19th July 1984 at Fred Pinnell’s home which was at Thornhill Road, Warminster. It was agreed that Harry Theobald would be Chairman, Bob Pitman would be Manager of the Under 13s (the only team at that time), Rod Kitley would be Treasurer, and Peter Farrell would be Secretary.
The football pitch at Woodcock Road, Warminster, which had been used for years previously by Highbury Football Club (a senior team) became the home ground for the Celtic Boys.
Fred Pinnell who also joined the committee, set about finding the money to fund the first efforts of the new club. He asked the company he worked for, McCarthy Information, if they could help. McCarthy Information, who had their headquarters in the old Manor House at Ash Walk, Warminster, generously sponsored the cost of the kit – in green and white colours – for the club.
The first Mid-Wilts League match (for the Minor Cup) for Celtic Boys was played at home on 9th September 1984. The opponents were F.C. Chippenham B. Celtic Boys were the victors, the final score being 9-2. The winning team were Lee Dalton, Robert Hourahine, Eddie Hunt, Rob Morris (Captain), Stuart Hawkins, Terry Hillier, Brian Platts, Karl Pearce, Sean Bowden, Andy Pitman, and James Theobald. The substitutes were Brett Ball, Rob Robson, Ben White and Vinnie Wright. The match referee was John Syme (who later became well known as a Warminster town councillor).
That illustrious occasion was followed by an excellent run of football matches which culminated with Celtic Boys playing in the final against Avon Melksham at Melksham on 5th May 1985. Unfortunately, Celtic Boys lost, 4-1.
During that first season, Peter Farrell wrote the notes for programmes for the home matches. The programmes were produced by the ever-enthusiastic Harry Theobald. Celtic Boys’ opponents during the first season were Avon, FC Chippenham A, Melksham Park A, Amesbury, Shaw & Whitley, Wroughton, Southwick and Biddestone. Celtic Boys finished commendable in the middle of the league table.
Within one year Celtic Boys changed their name to Highbury Youth F.C. Later, another name change happened when, to identify with their home town, the name became Warminster Highbury Youth Football Club.
Celtic Boys (Warminster) F.C. pictured during 1984/85.
Back row, left to right: George Hill, Harry Theobald, Peter Farrell, Bob Pitman, and Ron Macduff.
Middle row, left to right: James Theobald, Vincent Wright, Wayne Purdue, Brian Platts, Terry Hillier, Edward Hunt, Robert Robson, and Robert Morris.
Front row, left to right: Sean Bowden, Andrew Pitman, Lee Dalton, Karl Pearce, and Brett Ball.