Founded in 1885, Christchurch FC can claim to be one of the pioneers of Hampshire League soccer, as they were founder members of the Hampshire FA in 1887 following the dissolution of the South Hants and Dorset FA and the consequential formation of the Dorset FA.

Christchurch’s first honours on local soccer fields came in 1893 when they won the Hampshire Junior Cup. The team was then known locally as the “Can’t Whack Ems” and further successes were achieved in this competition in 1912 and 1921.

Between the wars, Christchurch were members of the Bournemouth and Hampshire County Leagues in 1938 they gained promotion to Hants 1 for the first time by winning the Hants 2 Championship.

Like most clubs of long standing, Christchurch have enjoyed mixed fortunes during their long history. They have been relegated to Hants 2 & 3 and then climbed back to the top sphere again, winning Hants 2 again in 1948 and 1986 and Hants 3 in 1953.

In 1970 Christchurch gained the distinction of being the first Club to win the Bournemouth Senior Cup three times in successive seasons. They also won the Bournemouth Pickford Cup in 1977 and in 1987 they won the Hampshire Intermediate Cup.

Christchurch gained admission to the Wessex League in the 1987/88 season and they are one of the few clubs still retaining their amateur status. Despite competition from neighbouring clubs, they still succeed in attracting a loyal band of players who enjoy their football at Hurn Bridge and the amenities of the Sports Club.

Christchurch’s long association with Barrack Road Recreation Ground (near the town centre) ended at the start of the 1984/85 season when the club accepted the opportunity provided by Christchurch Borough Council to move its headquarters to Hurn Bridge with its excellent clubhouse facilities. This sports ground was formerly owned by British Aerospace and a substantial investment was made initially by the Council, Football Club and Sports Club on various ground improvements, including the provision of floodlights, covered accommodation for spectators and two extensions to the clubhouse. Bournemouth FA have established their headquarters at Hurn Bridge and in 1994 Dorset CCC also established their indoor cricket school on the site.

At the start of the 1995/96 season, the football club built a new 200 seat cantilever stand and made other ground improvements to meet the requirements of the Wessex League and FA Competitions.

In recent times, a press box was installed in the stand and additional seating provided for home and visiting club officials. In April 2003, Poole Sports Charitable Trust, opted to use the get out clause in the long term lease they had agreed with Christchurch Council for running the Hurn Bridge site. This led to the long term lease for the entire Hurn Bridge complex being offered and eventually, assigned over to Christchurch Football Club.

We then created from our football club Committee, a limited company consisting of three members, whose task was oversee the day to day running of the whole complex and leave the footballing side of things, being overseen as previously, by the football club Committee. These were and indeed still are, exciting times, as it allows us now to expand the whole operation at Hurn Bridge at the pace we set.

FA Grant aid to complete the aforementioned dressing room complex has now been sorted, hopefully the building work will follow very soon. We have also in this season of 2003/4, expanded the playing side of the club and are now running five adult teams, one of which for the first time, is a ladies side. All club profits made, will rest assured, be ploughed back into the Hurn Bridge infrastructure and many further improvements of the facility here will definitely follow, to the benefit of all the users.

In May 2003, our young Under 18’s side, led by Kevin Jackson, won promotion to Division One of the Hampshire Youth League, where they now look forward to ‘mixing it’ with the big boys!

In May 2007 our Under 18s side led by Andy Mills were runners-up in Division 1 of the Hampshire Youth League as well as reaching the final of the Hampshire Youth League Cup. In the same season they reached the semi-final of the Hampshire FA Under 18s Cup and the semi-final of the Hampshire FA Under 18s Floodlit Cup.

In May 2007 Graham Kemp was appointed First Team Manager with Chris Hart as Assistant Manager and Paul "Chalky" White as First Team Coach. Tony Brown remains on the management team and Mick Ryan remains our Director of Football.