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The History of Fenstanton F.C.
The Name Fenstanton conjures up images of a great College - a place of academic achievement: It could be safely accommodated beside Eaton, Cambridge or Oxford. More the surprise then that one finds the name nestling among the Amateur Football League clubs in Dublin.
The Origin of the name "Fenstanton" is a perennial question. When asked "Who do you play for?" the answer is usually met with another question: "Fen who?”. The name owes its existence to the quality of fish and chips in a small English town.
In 1965 a group of players were holidaying in England intent on forming a soccer club on return. The numbers were available and pitch facilities were well planned - the only missing link was a name. A town called Fenstanton was visited and its fish and chips proved par excellence. A Title for our club was found.
 In 1983 the name was found in the Amateur Leagues Major Division with further sides in Division 1 (Saturday) and 1C (Sunday). Home was Collinstown Cross in Santry and the bulk of the players made up of students from St Pats Training College in Drumcondra.
Those familiar with the Collinstown Cross of old have mixed feelings. A wet weekend rendered the approach an appropriate venture for orienteering tests. Venture further and the air abounded with a mixture of low flying aircraft and the chaos of banger racing. Yet the first "inside" pitch which was Fenstanton's was undoubtedly the best at the venue.  The Changing facilities comprised of a 40 foot by 12 foot Portakabin, with the interior sectioned with facilities for the home and visiting teams. A special section also accommodated club gear with pitch marking equipment while the referee had a private room. The facilities cost over £6,000 old Irish Pounds.
Unfortunately the Collinstown cross football fields were sold by the Owner to the Royal Collage of Surgeons. Now all that remains of the Fenstanton home pitch is an all weather Hockey pitch. Fenstanton relocated to Number 24 St Anne's Park in Raheny. Fortunes seemed to slip during those hard times as did numbers. Fenstanton were reduced to 1 team playing on a Sunday.
Approximately 7 years ago Fenstanton returned to almost the exact location of their spiritual home; Sportslink in Santry as close to Collinstown Cross as you could find. Sportslink provides arguably the best facilities in the Amateur Football League today. Fenstanton returned to the Major Division for two short seasons and managed to get two teams up and running for almost 10 years.
For the past few years Fenstanton had one team playing on Sunday in Division 3 of the Amateur League. But in 2010 the club returned to two teams with almost 40 signed players, so we must be doing something right!
The club are always looking to the future with and welcome any new young talent and the odd “big money” singning! |
Club History |
