Silhill Football Club, Solihull, UK - A Voice from the Touchline

The First Century of Silhill Football Club: 1908 to 2008

In 1923 Silhill FC enters the newly formed Birmingham & District Amateur Football League and, to allow for growth, needs to hire the additional ground pictured in Sharmans Cross Road, to run in tandem with Warwick Road, Solihull, its home after World War 1. Here you see the Silhill 1st & 2nd teams combined. A recruit from Wellesbourne FC, Norman Willcox is fifth left in back row. Denis Mansell is far left in front row of six. Bill Haines (1906-71), fifth left in middle row, went on to win Junior International caps for England. Harold S Nock, immediately in front of Bill with the ball at his feet, was 1st team captain, 1923/24 Season.

The Silhill 2nd team captained by E. Horton lines up proudly in 1923 at the new Sharmans Cross Road ground, with Norman Willcox fourth from the right on the back row.

The Birmingham AFA representative team of 1927/28. In the second row back, third from left, with hands on his shoulders, enjoying his second Season in this side, Silhill striker W.H. (Bill) Haines was a fearsome header of the heavy old leather ball who could leap high above opposing defences. The occasion was a Cup tie against the Coventry Works League (now the Coventry Alliance), in which the Birmingham AFA emerged as winners over two legs.

Bill Haines went on from Silhill to join four Birmingham Combination sides in succession - Gresley Rovers in 1928, Evesham Town (the highest ranked) in 1930, Nuneaton Town in 1931 and Shirley Town in 1935. He helped Gresley Rovers win the Bass Charity Vase for 1928-29. He scored four goals in Evesham Town's 8-1 FA Cup victory over the Birmingham & District AFA’s Wolverhampton Amateurs on 6th September 1930 - and four again when Nuneaton Town trounced another Birmingham & District AFA team in the FA Cup, Walsall Phoenix, 15-0 on 12th September 1931. Around 1930 Bill won his Junior International caps for England as centre forward against France, Belgium & Scotland.

Bill’s brothers, Richard (1907-85) & Alf (1903-88), played for Silhill too in the 1920s, Richard being a defender in the 1927 Birmingham AFA Senior Cup Semi-Final, which rueful Sils lost 0-1 to future stars Moor Green, now Solihull Moors FC.

The Birmingham County FA representative team line up at an inter-association match against the Scottish Junior FA played at Heart of Midlothian FC, Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, on 26th April 1930. The County FA players achieved an outstanding 2-2 draw, despite the fact that they were obliged to travel up to Edinburgh and back the same day, a long and tiring journey on pre-War roads. Centre forward Bill Haines, shown in the middle of the front row with the ball at his feet, scored his side's second goal, with a shot from just outside the box, for the 2-2 equaliser.

Silhill 1sts of 1948-49

Back row (left to right): George OWEN (Hon. Treasurer), K. SANSOME, T.D.T. HICKMAN (vice-captain), D.G. TREVERTON, C.J. SHAW (goalkeeper), O.W. DAVIS, Norman WILLCOX (Hon. Match Secretary), Arthur LINLEY (Hon. Social Secretary). Front row (left to right): J. MANSELL, Joe LANE, A.L. FEATHERSTONE, Stan FARMILOE (captain), R. COLLYER, E. PRICE, Eric REEVE.

Silhill 2nd team, Birmingham & District AFA Junior Cup Finalists of 1950, losing 4-2 against Staffs Casuals:

Back row (left to right): R. BROOKES, K. LEWIS, E. DRAKE (goalkeeper), R. MOULD, Eric REEVE, P. KIDD. Front row (left to right): Paul DERRINGTON, Gordon TRINDER, E. LEWIS (captain), Jack ERSKINE, C. GARRETTY.

Silhill 1sts of 1950/51

Back row (left to right) includes: Stan FARMILOE (captain), Sam DOUGLAS, Brian SIMPSON, Les BOURNE. Front row (left to right) includes: Tony GILES, David HOLLINGS, Gordon TRINDER, Mike MARTIN. Stan Farmiloe was long-serving club, i.e. 1st team, captain from 1948 to 1954. A Silhill player for 20 years from 1945 to 1965, Trinder was a Youth team captain in 1947 and later a well-known 1st team penalty-taker & the Fixtures Secretary: he died in June 2010.

Silhill 1sts in early 1950’s

Back row (left to right): Bill SHARP, Ken HARBOURNE, Norman A CORBETT (goalkeeper), Stan FARMILOE (captain), Arthur RICE, Peter BISSENDEN. Front row (left to right): Dai OWEN, Joe LANE, Tony GILES, Gordon TRINDER, Mike MARTIN.

Silhill 1sts of 1951-52

Back row (left to right): Bill SHARP, Tony GILES, John SHAW (goalkeeper), Stan FARMILOE (captain), Jack ERSKINE, Dai OWEN. Front row (left to right): Mike MARTIN (also press officer), P. KIDD, Joe LANE (holding the ball), Brian WATKINS, S. WOOD.

Silhill 3rds of 1951-52

Back row (left to right): L. HOMER, E. SMITH, N. PEAKMAN (goalkeeper), J. DOVEY, J. BOURNE, L. HUSBAND. Front row (left to right): J. BOYDEN, J. DEWAR, Eric REEVE (captain), E. PRICE, A.L. FEATHERSTONE.

Silhill 3rd team, Birmingham & District AFA Minor Cup Finalists of 1954, losing narrowly 3-2 to Staffs Casuals:

Back row (left to right): R. MORTON (reserve), A.J. MILLS, C. GARRETTY, G.E. MORTON, S. OVERTY, J. BOURNE, J. HUNT (reserve), Arthur LINLEY (Hon. Secretary). Front row (left to right): K. GORE, W. DODD, C.J. PEARCE (captain), E. SMITH, F. FLATLEY, R.L. FISHER.

Silhill 1sts of 1954-55

Back row (left to right): Cyril NEWTON (trainer), Ken CLARK, W. BROWN, Ken JONES, Ian TIDEY (goalkeeper), Bill SHARP (captain), Brian SIMPSON. Front row (left to right): Dai OWEN, Joe LANE, Gordon TRINDER, Peter BISSENDEN, Mike MARTIN.

Silhill 1sts 1954-55, again in front of the wooden pavilion at Sharmans Cross Road:

Back row (left to right) includes: Cyril NEWTON, Ken CLARK, Ken JONES (captain), Eric C HALES (goalkeeper), Brian SIMPSON, Norman WILLCOX, Bill SHARP. On the front row, first three on the left are: Roy ATKIN, inside forward Joe LANE, centre forward Gordon TRINDER (who has ball at his feet).

Atkin played his last game in the 1967-68 Season: then he took over from A.G. Bragg as the Club's Hon. Auditor, serving from 1968-73.

Silhill 1st team, 1955-56 Season: Back row (left to right): Ken CLARK (right half), Alan TIDEY (right back), Bill SHARP (left back), Jack KENTISH (goalkeeper), Brian SIMPSON (left half & captain), Gordon TRINDER (centre forward). Front row (left to right): Nigel VAUGHAN (right wing), Joe LANE (outside left), Ken JONES (centre half), Mick FITZGERALD (inside right), Brian NODEN (inside left).

Alan Tidey (1934-2002) was Silhill rightback 1955-70; Birmingham AFA Senior Cup winning captain of 1966; and selected for over 50 Birmingham AFA League representative games.
As a hard-tackling, ultra-competitive rightback, Alan would summarily bundle over the touchline any leftwingers he caught in possession. Centre half Ken Jones was also picked for over 50 League representative matches.

In 1957 Ken Jones’s team were proud to lift the prestigious Birmingham Referees’ Jubilee Cup. This trophy was presented for sportsmanship & general behaviour over the season as adjudged by the referees.

Back row, left to right: Brian NODEN, Jack KENTISH (goalkeeper), Bill SHARP, Gordon TRINDER, Brian SIMPSON. Front row, left to right: Alan TIDEY, Nigel VAUGHAN, Ken JONES (captain), Mick FITZGERALD, Joe LANE, Ken CLARK.

The 1st team from the 1960-61 Season when Silhill were crowned Birmingham & District AFA League Champions for the first time. Shown here is the XI who lost 2-5 to Cresconians in the Senior Cup Final on 15th April 1961 at the Gas Officials ground in Woodacre Road, Erdington, with rightwing Cliff Jones equalising for 1-1 & inside right Ken Scorer for 2-2. And yet, a fortnight later on 29th April, Silhill exacted revenge when they crushed Cresconians 5-0 at Sharmans Cross Road to win the League title: the only change to that Cup Final line-up was Jim Carrick as centre forward for Roger Hudson, in agony from damaged knee cartilages. The five unanswered goals on an historical afternoon accrued to Cliff Jones (2), Noden (2) and Preston.

Back row (left to right): Peter PRESTON, Cliff JONES, Roger HUDSON, Mike STILGOE (goalkeeper), Ken SCORER, Brian NODEN. Front row (left to right): Ken CLARK, Terry LOCK, Brian SIMPSON (captain), Ken JONES, Alan TIDEY.

In what is generally regarded as the worst British Winter of the 20th Century, 1962/63, Silhill Football Club played their last home fixtures on 22nd December 1962 and one away fixture on 29th December 1962. But thereafter, owing to the big freeze, no further games were played until 9th March 1963, with the 2nd and 3rd teams at Sharmans Cross Road and the 1st team at Malvern, in the Amateur Football Alliance Senior Cup (London Senior Cup) against Malvern College.

To catch up on the fixture backlog caused by the big freeze, Silhill FC teams had to play 31 home and 20 away games up to 16th May 1963. This challenge, however, was met by the hard-working players of the Club, who during the month of May played 19 games in 16 days, and by the efforts of the two administrative "giants" of Silhill history – namely Arthur Linley (General Secretary) and Norman Willcox (Match Secretary).

The next longest Winter, with a similar catalogue of postponements, was exactly 50 years later – 2012/13, when Silhill 1sts had fulfilled only half of their Premier Division fixtures by 1st April.

The Silhill FC 2nd Team who played at Sharmans Cross Road on 22nd February 1964 in their return League match against Handsworth GSOB 2nds, the result being a 0-0 draw. In the first clash away on 9th November 1963, Silhill 2nds had emerged 2-1 victors, with Alan Ball scoring both their goals. This was in the Combined Section Division 1: in the 1970/71 Season, the top of the League structure was simplified to a Premier and Division 1 for Silhill 1sts and 2nds respectively.

Back row, left to right: T. CLIFTON (right half), D. BULLOUGH (right back), Len LAKE (goalkeeper), Don CREES (centre half & captain), Bill SHARP (left back & vice-captain), Phil LEES (left half). Front row, left to right: Roy ATKIN (outside right), Peter PRESTON (inside right), Terry HANSON (centre forward), Alan BALL (inside left), Bob DALL (outside left).

The V-neck shirt sported here by Silhill players came in around the late 1950s, when it replaced the old-fashioned, button-up, “collar and cuffs” design, and was a precursor to the “crew neck” style worn later in the 1960s. Silhill 1st team wore the crew neck design in the 1966 Senior Cup Final, as did England in their World Cup Final at Wembley that year.

Silhill 3rds who won the Birmingham & District AFA Minor Cup 4-1 against Old Wulfrunians 3rds on 27th February 1965:

Back row, left to right: Arthur LINLEY, Bob CLEAVELEY, Colin EMMETT, Bunny SHEPHEARD, D LE TISSIER (goalkeeper), Gordon TRINDER, J ALLINGTON, Norman WILLCOX. Front row, left to right: G CHATTOE, Pat HUBBLE, Ron GRANT (captain), Colin DAVIS, L CHATTOE. The goalscorers on an afternoon to remember were Davis, G Chattoe & Grant (2).

A genuine two-footed player at inside forward, Ron Grant again captained the successful Silhill 3rd team who retained their Minor Cup in 1966. Back row, left to right: Barrie COLLYER, Arthur Anthony (Tony) REVILL (goalkeeper, later an esteemed referee for over 20 years in this League, who died on 3rd January 2011 aged 73), Pete FREEMAN, Jeff PEARSON, Roger JOHN, Brian JENNINGS. Front row, left to right: Pat HUBBLE, Rodney HALL, Ron GRANT (captain), John MOLESWORTH, Colin DAVIS.

Collyer, Molesworth & Pearson all scored in the thrilling 3-3 draw in this Final against Staffs Casuals on 26th February 1966, with Molesworth & Pearson again making no mistake in the replay that followed on 5th March for a stunning 2-1 triumph in extra time. Continuing his outstanding debut for Silhill FC in 1965/66, Pearson also played for Silhill 1sts in their first ever Senior Cup Final victory the same season.

Barrie Collyer also made his Club debut in 1965/66 at 34. A prolific scorer, he played for the 3rds - mainly at outside right but also at outside left or centre forward - & sometimes for the 2nds or 4ths. A man who contributed to the lively humour in the dressing room, he was vice-captain to Phil Lees of the 3rds 1968/69 & to Fred Robinson of the 3rds 1970/71. Collyer served on the Club’s Social Committee 1971/72 & died on 24th September 2010 aged 79. His skipper, the “gentle giant” Ronald Charles Grant, lived from 28th August 1923 to 12th December 2013 & happily attended the Silhill Centenary Dinner held at the George (Ramada) Hotel, Solihull town centre, on Saturday 8th November 2008.

40 years on from their earliest Birmingham & District AFA Senior Cup Final in 1926 (0-1 against Kings Heath), Silhill 1sts won this major trophy for the first time on 23rd April 1966 (3-2 versus Cresconians). Sils’ fourth ever Senior Cup Final relieved the pain of two Final defeats to Crescs in 1958 (1-2) & 1961 (2-5). So, in 1966, leftwing Stokes & rightwing Hudson had put Silhill 2-0 in control by the interval. Later centre forward Carrick shot the 3-1 from Hudson’s fine run and cross. Their great rivals fought back again to 3-2 but then blazed over the bar a late penalty to equalise conceded by Tidey. Back row (left to right): Brian NASH, Jim CARRICK, John MANTLE (goalkeeper), Jeff PEARSON, Roger HUDSON, Peter BRETT. Front row (left to right): Michael STOKES, David GRAYSON (manager), Alan TIDEY (captain), Gary FLINTOFF, Tony HATHAWAY.

Silhill 2nd team, victors over Penncroft in the Birmingham & District AFA Junior Cup Final played on 22nd March 1969, unusually at Sharmans Cross Road itself. Building upon a 2-0 halftime lead from shots by Pallett & then Coleman, Hadley drove in the 3-0. Later on playmaker Brundish, who had provided fine assists for the second & third goals, hammered in for 4-1 to complete the scoring. With the astute & experienced Pearson at the helm, Silhill 2nds went on to retain this Cup for the next two seasons, 1970 & 1971.

Back row (left to right): Alan TURNER, Alan MASON, Dick BRUNDISH, Dave HUGHES, Arthur HEATH (goalkeeper), Gary FLINTOFF. Front row (left to right): Alan HORSLER, Chris PALLETT, Jeff PEARSON (captain), Maurice HADLEY, Mike COLEMAN.

Silhill 1sts line up at the fine Bournville Trust Recreation Ground in the Birmingham & District AFA Senior Cup Final of 18th April 1970 when they were defeated 3-2 by Walsall Phoenix (halftime 1-1). That Season 1969-70 the 1sts also finished a close second in the League on 41 points, one point behind champions Penncroft & with a playing record of P26 W18 D5 L3, goals F85 A32. Such achievements did much to prepare this outstanding team for its golden era which comprised the Senior Cup Final victories of 1972 & 1973 & League Championship of 1973.

Back row, left to right: Referee Tom HUGHES, Mike PYBUS, Chris PALLETT (substitute), Neville GOLDSBY, Alan TURNER, Colin BAMFORD (goalkeeper), Dick BRUNDISH (put Silhill 2-1 ahead from Blackwell's pass), Roger BLACKWELL, Roy TIDEY (team assistant). Front row, left to right: Brian WIGLEY, Danny JONES (scored 1-0), John MULHALL (captain), Mike COLEMAN, Johnny BUTLIN. A great servant of Silhill on match days, Roy Tidey collapsed & died the following Saturday running the line in a League game against the Sutton British Legion.

The Summer 1975 Devon tour was arranged by Cedric "Hubby" Herbert, who had a cousin in whose hotel Sils stayed in Hope Cove, South Devon. The side comprised a mix of players from different Silhill teams. They played one game in Plymouth on Saturday. At the second, against the local Hope Cove coastguards team on Sunday morning, the Sils were captured on film:

Back row, left to right: Neville Goldsby, Bob Taylor, Roger Blackwell, Eric Hales (goalkeeper), Mike Knights, Alan Tidey, Dick Brundish. Front row, left to right: Colin Sanders, Dave Treacy, Geoff Cobb, Cedric "Hubby" Herbert, Unknown, Unknown.

“Hubby” Herbert had been a prolific scorer in the 1960’s as centre forward for Moor Green FC in Sherwood Road, Hall Green. Having been formed from an amalgamation of Moor Green & Solihull Borough football clubs in 2007 after an arson attack in January 2005 had destroyed Moor Green’s stand & clubhouse, Solihull Moors play their games at Damson Parkway in Solihull. They currently compete in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football pyramid.

The Silhill 1st team of 1977/78 show off their Div.1 Championship shield at Sharmans Cross Road, coming straight back up to the Premier Division after relegation the previous Season. With a terrific record of P26 W20 D3 L3, goals for 90 goals against 35, points 43, the Sils were Champions by a three-point margin from runners-up Penncroft 1sts of Wolverhampton.

Back row, left to right: Roger BLACKWELL, Tom RUANE, Mike KNIGHT, Bob TAYLOR, Brian GAREY, Brian WIGLEY (team captain), Arthur LINLEY (Silhill FC General Secretary). Front row, left to right: Keith LAISHLEY, Martin CARTER, Mickey STOKES (goalkeeper), Terry CLARKE, Richard MOSS, Nigel LEWIS. TA Clarke scored 28 of their 90 League goals, with Dean Pugh (absent) next on a total of 11. Born in Harrow, RFJ Moss moved home with his wife Janice from Borehamwood to start playing at Sharmans Cross Road in 1977: he was to become Club Chairman from 1996 to 2001 & subsequently Chairman of the Centenary Committee. Terry Clarke was awarded the MBE in the June 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to education, as assistant headteacher & arts coordinator of Langley School, Olton, Solihull, having previously been their head of sport.

In the grounds of Langley School in April/May 1979, the triumphant Sharmans Cross team celebrate as South Birmingham Sunday League Div.1 Champions & Cupwinners. Their home ground was the Sharmans Cross High School for Boys, Radbourne Road, Shirley, now closed. Team members played with great success, too, for Silhill 1sts on Saturday afternoons. Back row, left to right: Bill LORNE, Rick YATES, Peter HOWES, Mickey STOKES (goalkeeper), Carl ORME, Richard MOSS, Patrick MOSS (team mascot, partly obscured). Front row, left to right: Brian TEMPLE, Brian WIGLEY, Martin CARTER (captain), Terry CLARKE, John WARD.

Silhill 4ths – Roger Holder Cup winners about to sing their anthem Waltzing Matilda on Easter Saturday, April 2nd 1983, having beaten Sutton United 2-1 in the replay at Drawbridge Road, Shirley, following the 2-2 draw a week before at Parkfield’s ground: Back row (left to right): Dave WALTERS, Clive BRIDGE (scored 1-1), Barry CROMWELL, Kevin McDONNELL, Adrian “Hank” HANKINSON (captain), Dave HEATH, Bob BAKER, Ted WATERMAN (coach), Arthur LINLEY (Club Secretary). Front row (left to right): Denis COOK, Bob BODEN (sub for Baker, scored 2-1 from Cook’s pass), Lennie CALCUTT, Robb HARRIS (goalkeeper), Martin HUMPHRIES.

Celebrating their Silhill silverware in late May 1983 are, from the left, Clubman of the Year – goalkeeper Derek Watson; Player of the Year & Team Motivator of the Year – Adrian “Hank” Hankinson; Top Goalscorer – Craig Jennings (28 goals).

Having captained the 4th team that year to both the Roger Holder Cup and promotion to Div.4, Hankinson had been a key member too of Silhill’s Minor Cup winning 3rd teams in 1973, 1974 and 1975. Watson was Sils' golden glovesman in the 1979 London Junior Cup Final, when the 3rds under Tony Hobday’s captaincy were joint winners (1-1 against Midland Bank, played at Wake Green's ground). 20-year-old Jennings had earlier been the top marksman at Silhill FC 1981/82, Alvechurch Youth 1980/81 and Solihull Technical College and Leafield Athletic Junior 1979/80.

Silhill Veterans celebrate on 18th December 1983 after defeating Massey Ferguson 1-0 with Billy Hanson’s goal at Coventry to win the Central Warwickshire Over 35’s Open Cup, having played most of the second half with nine men:

Back row (left to right): Tony HOBDAY, Alan TIDEY, Dave WALTERS, Jeff PEARSON, Roger HUDSON, John INGRAM, Bobby SNAPE, Billy HANSON, Richard WASSALL. Front row (left to right): Dave TREACY, Maurice HADLEY, Roger BLACKWELL (captain), Brian TEMPLE, Alan HORSLER (goalkeeper).

Silhill FC from 1984 to the Centenary Year of 2008

Silhill 3rds’ Birmingham & District AFA Minor Cup winning squad of Season 1983-84. Back row, left to right: Dave HUGHES, Pete HOWES, Gus GILLULEY, Mick MALONE, Dave HEATH, Derek WATSON (goalkeeper), Geoff STOCKTON, Aldo FERRARIN, Darren HIND (obscured), Derek HOLYWELL. Front row, left to right: Peter FOGGAN, Clive MACEY (leftwinger who shot two second-half goals for their 2-0 Minor Cup Final triumph over Handsworth GSOB 3rds at Hollyfield Road, Walmley, on 10th March 1984), Oliver HAINES (chief supporter & press secretary).

Silhill 1sts 3-1 winners at home in Premier Division v West Midlands Fire Service on 10th November 1984: Back row (left to right): John GILLHAM (Club President), Oliver HAINES (press secretary), Gus GILLULEY, Peter GREENHILL (goalkeeper), Mick JONES, Colin WHITEHOUSE, Keith "Rocket" RANDALL, Arthur LINLEY (Club Secretary). Front row (left to right): Tom RUANE, Keith LAISHLEY, Bob LEE, Bill LORNE (captain), Martin CARTER, Brian WIGLEY, Rob BARNES.

This was one of hundreds of games played (chiefly for Silhill 1st XI) by Brian Wigley, the outstanding sweeper and ballwinner of his era who had made his debut in the 1968-69 Season and perfected the art of the sliding tackle. He and John Gillham (President 1985-90), also pictured, were members of the unequalled League Championship and Senior Cup double-winning team of the 1972-73 season, captained by John Mulhall.

Ten seasons on, in 1982-83, Wigley was the player-manager of Silhill 1sts when they were runners-up in the Premier Division to Sutton United. Stan Bailey played in that team with the likes of Tom Ruane, Martin Carter, Keith Laishley and Richard Moss in addition to Brian and others. Their immense achievement was not matched for 33 years until coaches Paul “Patch” Curran and Martin Humphries achieved the same second spot for Silhill 1sts, behind Wake Green, in 2015-16.

Having triumphed 2-1 over West Wickham after extra time on a very wet pitch, Silhill 4ths celebrate on 30th March 1985 at Norsemen FC, Church Street, Edmonton, with their captain Hank Hankinson proudly displaying the Amateur Football Alliance London Minor Cup and heroic keeper Roger Mason the Shield. For two long hours, the 21-year-old Mason had played the game of his life between the posts. The two Silhill goalscorers were Denis Cook (2nd left, who headed the 1-1) and Joe Robinson (4th left, who shot the winner).

60 seconds before the final whistle and a certain victory for Kent’s Southern Amateur League giants West Wickham, Cook powered in a superb bullet header to equalise 1-1, after Steve Green had risen and nodded to him a finely struck Keith Cromwell corner. Three minutes from the end of extra time, granite Ulsterman Robinson latched onto a cross from his leftwinger Aldo Ferrarin to lash in the 2-1 winner against all the odds.

On a later Saturday in front of the Silhill FC stand, the Silhill 4th team who had won the 1985 London Minor Cup Final 2-1: Back row (left to right): Roger MASON (goalkeeper), Adrian “Hank” HANKINSON (captain & left midfield), Martin READY (centre half substitute), Dave HUGHES (left wing > sweeper), Jeff PEARSON (centre half), Ray NABBS (centre forward), Ted WATERMAN (coach). Front row (left to right): Aldo FERRARIN (sweeper > left wing), Joe ROBINSON (centre midfield & scorer), Keith CROMWELL (right back), Steve GREEN (left back), Denis COOK (right wing & scorer), Lennie CALCUTT (right midfield). History maker Pearson had been Silhill’s centre half in both the 1979 and 1985 London Cup Finals.

Marking the Club’s Golden Jubilee of 50 years, the stand accommodating 100 people had been officially opened by the larger-than-life Deputy Mayor of Solihull, Alderman W.E. (Bill) Wright, back on Saturday 13th September 1958 and stood until Spring 1995. The structure cost just £450 and was erected by local woodworkers & builders Smith Bros (Quinton) Ltd. The same firm extended the Club’s wooden pavilion ready for the 1965-66 Season at a cost of £1900.

The Silhill Youth team at Sharmans Cross Road in the 1984/85 Season: Back row (left to right): Bob COOK (secretary), Terry WEEKES, Stephen COOK, Chris SMITH (goalkeeper & captain), Mark BRADY, Nick SAMPSON, David HEARD, John GILLHAM (manager), Derek SAMPSON. Front row (left to right): Ramsey DOUGLAS, Simon BARWELL, Carl EVANS, Kenny PRYCE, Andrew HUNT, Stephen GILLHAM, Mike SATCHWELL, Matt COWANS.

Team skipper Chris Smith, a proud Scot, was Silhill FC's youngest ever senior player, normally outfield, starting at only 14 years of age in 1984 for the 6ths then 5ths at Shirley Park & progressing to two games for Kidderminster Harriers Reserves in their 1987/88 Season. The funeral of his father, 1980s Silhill goalkeeper Bill Smith, took place at Falkirk on 13th February 2018.

The Silhill Youth team at Sharmans Cross Road in the 1985/86 Season: Back row (left to right): John GILLHAM (manager), Mike SATCHWELL, Nick SAMPSON, Mark BRADY, Stephen COOK, Adam FREEMAN, Chris SMITH (captain), Bob COOK (secretary). Front row (left to right): Andrew HUNT, Ian DAVIS, James KERNICK, Simon BARWELL, Karl JORDAN (goalkeeper), Steve LILWALL, Kenny PRYCE, Stephen GILLHAM, Duncan MARSH.

Born 15.2.70, defender Lilwall went on to play twice at Wembley Stadium as a leftback – for Kidderminster Harriers in the 1991 FA Trophy Final (losing to Wycombe Wanderers) & in the West Bromwich Albion team managed by Ossie Ardiles who won the 1993 Div.2 Play-Off Final against Port Vale. He totalled 95 appearances for Harriers & 86 for the Baggies & holds the UEFA ‘A’ coaching badge.

Silhill 1sts line up at Sharmans Cross Road on 22nd November 1986: Back row (left to right): Craig JENNINGS, Darren REYNOLDS, Dean PERKS, Nick SAMPSON, Peter GREENHILL (goalkeeper), Stuart MacLEISH. Front row (left to right): Paul GREENWOOD, Richard MOSS, Mike KNIGHT (captain), Darren HIND, Ian MADDOCKS.

Silhill 6th XI before kicking off against Norwich Union in Div.6 on 7th February 1987, with the signwritten roof of Silhill FC's stand visible in the background to the left:

Back row (left to right): Bill SMITH (goalkeeper), Kevin McDONNELL, Jeff PEARSON, Paul SMITH, Clive BRIDGE, Bob BAKER. Front row (left to right): Phil HAYNES, Steve WEBB, Dave WALTERS (captain), Mike OLORENSHAW, Lloyd BARTON.

Silhill 2nd team, Junior Cup winners on 9th April 1988, 3-1 against Sutton United thanks to Niblett's superb hat-trick, from one assist by Lee and then two in extra time by Ruane. Back row (left to right): Holger PETERSEN, Nick SAMPSON, Allan COPPELL, Carl NIBLETT, Tom RUANE, John O’REGAN, Bill LOUGHREY. Front row (left to right): Martin CARTER, Richard MOSS, Dave HEATH (captain), Dave BOND, Robb HARRIS (goalkeeper), Bob LEE.

In late April 1988, following a 0-0 draw, Silhill 1sts lift the Senior Cup 2-1 in a midweek replay against Welwyn at Drawbridge Rd, with scores by Greenwood (shooting in from Ramsay's nearpost corner) and Eynon (penalty for handball).

Back row (left to right): Ian MADDOCKS (manager), Stan BAILEY, Colin DEERY (goalkeeper), Tim SPENCER, Darren REYNOLDS, Chris SMITH, Billy RAMSAY. Front row (left to right): Danny ROBERTS, Darren HIND, Richard EYNON (captain), Jamie COMERFORD, Aldo FERRA
RIN, Lee WHAPPLES, Gary EYNON (mascot). Paul GREENWOOD was not pictured.

Silhill Veterans at Sharmans Cross Road in 1990: Back row (left to right): Derek WATSON, Roger BLACKWELL, Jeff PEARSON, Tony HARVEY (goalkeeper), Ray RYMER, John LANE, Roger HUDSON, Bob BAKER. Front row: Dave HARRISON, Peter GIBBS, Maurice HADLEY, John INGRAM (captain), Danny ROBERTS, Mike KNIGHT, Kevin PUGH.

Silhill 3rds, 1-0 winners of the 1990 B'ham & District AFA Minor Cup Final replay, celebrate at the old Britannic Assurance ground, Moor Green Lane on 24th March 1990. Div.4 Silhill 3rds beat Div.2 Wake Green 3rds with a 53rd minute shot by right midfield Nolan after Clarke’s indirect freekick had rebounded off the crossbar. That followed a 2-2 draw (AET) at Romilly Avenue earned by Prosser (pen) & Nolan.

Back row (left to right): Stuart TAYLOR, Robert BODEN, Andy MASTERS (keeper), Simon PROSSER, Stan BAILEY, Peter O'DONNELL, Mark STEPHENSON, Paul SMITH (manager). Front row (left to right): Marc HUGHES, Richard "Paddy" NOLAN, John MALLETT, Terry A CLARKE (captain), Clive MACEY, Paul McGONIGLE.

Jim Grosvenor’s Silhill 4th team, winners of the Birmingham & District AFA Roger Holder Cup on Saturday 19th March 1994, celebrate after defeating old rivals Sutton United 4ths 3-2 in this Final played at the GEC Avery sports ground in Sandon Road, Bearwood, Birmingham. Back row, left to right: Martin “Elmo” WALKER (goalkeeper), Dylan WARD, Brendan O’HARE (goalscorer), Jeremy (Jed) ADAMS, Darren BYRNE, Joe NAUGHTON, Julian COLDWELL, Mark APPLEYARD. Front row, left to right: Spencer GREENING (goalscorer), Stuart REVELL (captain), Justin COLDWELL (Julian’s brother), Jim GROSVENOR (player/manager), Richard HARDY (goalscorer).

For the first & only time to date, Silhill 4th team won the Birmingham & District AFA Norman Jeffs Cup – on Saturday 30th April 1994 – defeating Colmore Rovers 2-1 at the Dunlop Sports & Social Club, Wood Lane, Erdington.

Back row, left to right: Julian COLDWELL, Mark APPLEYARD, Justin COLDWELL, Dylan WARD, Richard GRIMES, Simon TENNANT, Martin WALKER (goalkeeper), Jim GROSVENOR (manager). Front row, left to right: Stuart REVELL (captain) and his three sons Ben, Chris & Daniel – team mascots, Paul CHAMBERS (goalscorer), Jeremy (Jed) ADAMS, Richard HARDY (head down), Spencer GREENING. Other goalscorer (absent from photo): Brendan O'HARE.

Silhill 1sts’ photocall for the 1996 Senior Cup Final against Handsworth GSOB on 15th April at Sutton Coldfield Town FC, Coles Lane Stadium:

Back row (left to right): Barry CROMWELL (manager), Clive GAYLE (substitute), Steve GRAINGER, Mark JENNINGS (substitute), Darren JONES (goalkeeper), Angus McPHERSON, Dean PERKS, Chris SMITH (substitute), Chris GENTLE (assistant manager). Front row (left to right): Spencer GREENING, Neil SPRAGUE, Andy DURBIN (goalscorer), Billy JONES (captain), Justin COLDWELL, Stuart HUDSON, Jamie COMERFORD.

Silhill 3rds are crowned Champions of Birmingham & District AFA Div.4 in Season 1996-97 with a playing record of P26 W19 D3 L4 F92 A32 (GD +60) Pts 41, which was 4 points clear of runners-up Parkfield Amateur 2nds, GD +30 :-

Back row (left to right): Phil HAYNES (joint manager), Andy RAVENSCROFT, Lee HARVEY, Tony QUIGLEY (player-manager), Ed HARRIS (goalkeeper), Chris SMITH, Phil COMERFORD (deputy captain & centre midfield), Colin “Sonic” WALKER, Danny COUCHMAN, John CLEMENTS (linesman). Front row (left to right): Ian JAMES, Clive MACEY, Darrell GIBBS, Glenn MacDONALD (captain & centre half), Keith SPRAGUE, John DEATHRIDGE, Dave PALMER.

Silhill 4ths line up below Alexandra Palace on 14th March 1998 for the London Minor Cup Final which they drew 1-1 against Midland Bank. Damian McGlynn hit the equaliser one minute before halftime (from good work by Paul McDermott & Tony Wager), whilst Sils’ man-of-the-match honours went to centre half Robbie Lambert. They lost 0-1 in the replay at Old Finchleians, Woodside Park, N12.

Back row, left to right: Billy MILLS (co-manager), Micky DREELAN, Paul McDERMOTT, Damian (Billy) McGLYNN, Karl ARNOLD, Steve GRADY, Tommy CORRIGAN (goalkeeper), Robbie LAMBERT, Patrick DUFFY, Martin McDERMOTT (Paul’s brother). Front row, left to right: Paul McCOLGAN, Paul WALES, Dave BOND, Steve PORTER (co-manager), Tony WAGER, Matt CURRAN.

Silhill 5ths are Champions of Div.7 in 1998-99 with a Season’s record of P18 W12 D2 L4 F54 A33 (GD +21) Pts 38, 2 points ahead of runners-up Holly Lodge 2nds, GD +14 :-

Back row, left to right: Billy PEARS (assistant manager), Roger NORTON (captain), Jason VINES (goalkeeper), Steve DUNSEITH, Johnny BALL, Steve BARTON. Front row, left to right: Andy COLLING, Mark GRADY, Alan MARSH (player-manager), Craig JONES, Darren ALCOCK, Ashley WATTS, Lyndon PARKER.

"Cromwell’s army marches on” – Silhill 1st team at home in February 2000: Back row (left to right): Ken STIMSON (supporter & 1950's defender), Chris GENTLE (assistant manager), Sean LAWLESS, Mark PIGOTT, Stuart HUDSON, Adie O'HARE, Kevin OAKES, Michael CAMPBELL, Paul SUMMERS, Barry CROMWELL (manager). Front row (left to right): Tommy SMITH, Dean SMITH, Adam SMITH (mascot), Andy MASTERS (goalkeeper), Justin COLDWELL (captain), Eamonn MURPHY, Matthew HAWKER, Neil BANNON, Steve GENTLE (mascot).

Marking their ninth triumph in this Cup, Silhill 4ths defeated Old Wulfrunians 4ths 2-0 in the Roger Holder Final staged at Britannic Assurance, Wythall Green, on 25th March 2000. Striker Jenkins latched onto Dowding’s flick to shoot home on 73 minutes. Two minutes later, Marklew fired in a long-range freekick to punish a foul on Jones. Here celebrating with their Cup & individual Awards are :- Back row, left to right: Jason VINES (goalkeeper), John O’REGAN, Richard LUCAS, Craig JONES, Craig KAVANAGH, Dave BOND, Tony JENKINS. Front row, left to right: Robbie DOWDING, Neal MARKLEW, Jason SHEWARD, Dave MARKLEW (captain), Stan BAILEY.

Silhill Youth line up at Hollyfield Road, Walmley, on Saturday 2nd April 2005, prior to the Birmingham & District AFA Youth Cup Semi-Final versus Sutton United Youth, who came back from a 0-2 halftime deficit to win 3-2. Bertram (33rd minute) & Moran (39th minute) were Silhill’s two goalscorers.

Back row, left to right: Liam AKINOLA, Kieran LLOYD (centre half & joint Man-of-the-Match), Joe CLEARY, Jerone FLEMING, Russell HAINES, Taghasa BERTRAM. Front row, left to right: Adam MYATT, Martin MORAN (striker & joint Man-of-the-Match), David SNAPE (goalkeeper), James COYLE (team captain), Sam LYNCH.

Silhill 1st team before kick-off on 29th March 2008 at County FA Headquarters, Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr, in the BCFA Saturday Junior Cup Final. Braving persistent rain, they defeated Billesley United 3-2 to lift this trophy for the first time in Silhill’s 100-year history.

Back row, left to right: Bill PEARS (assistant manager), Richard COLLINS, Steve POWELL, Darren LEA (goalscorer & joint man-of-the-match), Kieran DAVIES, Keith CONWAY, Jamie MAY (joint man-of-the-match), Andy MASTERS (goalkeeper & acting captain), Tomasz GRABOWSKI (substitute goalkeeper), Chris CONWAY (team manager). Front row, left to right: Paul SKERRETT, Andy McDONAGH, John BRADLEY, Dane MORGAN, Danny PARTRIDGE, Chris KAVANAGH (goalscorer), Craig PERRY.

Silhill 3rd team line up at Drawbridge Road, Shirley, on 15th March 2008, prior to kick-off of the Birmingham & District AFA Minor Cup Final in which they went on to defeat Village 3rds 2-1 in extra time :-

Back row, left to right: Roger HUDSON (Silhill FC Chairman), Jason JONES, Nick EDMOND (reserve goalkeeper), Tim HUFTON (player-manager & man-of-the-match), Dave BUDDEN, Stefan BRAMBLE, Tomasz GRABOWSKI (goalkeeper), Steve HENSEL (goalscorer), Chris HAWKER, Phil HAYNES (Silhill FC Hon Secretary). Front row, left to right: Harrison EDMOND (team mascot), Jamie BAILEY (goalscorer), Anthony BUTLER, Chris AVERY, Robbie DESMOND (captain), Rob HOULSTON, Matthew SMITH, Neil BANNON.

Silhill 4th team celebrate at the Old Dorkinians Sports Club, Pixham Lane, Dorking, Surrey, on 29th March 2008, after triumphing in the Amateur Football Alliance London Minor Cup Final. Despite heavy rain, they defeated strongly supported Fairlop (Essex) team Bealonians 4ths from the Amateur Football Combination Div.4 North 2-0 :-

Back row, left to right: Craig KAVANAGH (joint manager), Paul TONGUE, Joe TITLEY (goalscorer), Richard McINNES, Les PHIPPS, Ian JAMES (joint manager), Stefan BRAMBLE, Luke McCORMACK, Ben MICHAEL (man-of-the-match), Martin WALTERS. Front row, left to right: Bob MASON, Nick EDMOND (goalkeeper), Harrison EDMOND (team mascot), Stuart HUDSON (captain), David JOHNSON (goalscorer), Sean WILKES.

The Silhill Centenary Match team at Sharmans Cross Road against the Birmingham & District AFA League on Sunday 31st August 2008 :-

Back row, left to right: Roger HUDSON (Silhill FC Chairman), Andy MASTERS (goalkeeper & team captain), Jake O’CONNOR, Keith CONWAY, Ronnie GREEN, Billy PEARS (team manager), Andy McDONAGH, Mark PIGOTT, Richard MOSS (Chair of the Silhill Centenary Committee), Phil HAYNES (Club Secretary), Bob TAYLOR (Club Committee). Front row, left to right: Bob BAKER (Silhill FC Vice-Chair), Steve POWELL, John BRADLEY, Daniel POLLITT, Ryan SLATTERY, Rob HOULSTON, Tom MACKENZIE, Richard COLLINS. In front: match referee John MULHALL (1st XI captain in 1972-73, whose team uniquely won double of the Birmingham & District AFA Championship & Senior Cup).

The Second Century of Silhill Football Club

Silhill 2nd team defeat CPA Smethwick 2nds 3-1 on 25th April 2009 at the West Midlands Travel Birmingham Sports & Social Club, Wheelers Lane, Kings Heath, to win the 2009 Birmingham & District AFA Bill Hill Cup for the first time ever.

Back row, left to right: Craig KAVANAGH (joint manager), Johnny WALKER, Dane MORGAN, Ben MICHAEL, Tommy SMITH, Matt SCRIVENS, Jamie MAY, Mark PIGOTT. Front row, left to right: Joe BUSST (1 goal), Paul BRADLEY, Stuart McINNES (team captain), Howard YATES (goalkeeper & joint manager), Lee MARTIN (2 goals), Luke EDWARDS (man-of-the-Final), David ICKE.

Silhill 3rd team line up at Hollyfield Road, Walmley, on 21st March 2009, before the start of their marathon Birmingham & District AFA Minor Cup Final at which they defeated Village 3rds for the second year running. With the score at 1-1 after two hours' play, Silhill won through 6-5 on penalty kicks.

Back row, left to right: Justin BARNES, Andy MORRIS, Dave BUDDEN (goalkeeper), Andrew PAPAGEORGE, Tim HUFTON (player-manager), Matthew HAWKER (man-of-the-Final). Front row, left to right: Joe BUSST, Anthony BUTLER, Rob HOULSTON (team captain), Neil BANNON, Paul SKERRETT, Steve SMITH.

Silhill 1st team, winners of the Birmingham County Junior Cup on 27th March 2010 in the Ray Hall Lane stadium at Great Barr. They came back from 0-1 to defeat AFC Somers, also of the Birmingham & District AFA Premier Division, by 3-1.

Back row, left to right: Billy PEARS (assistant manager), Chris KAVANAGH, Jamie RATHBONE, Steve SMITH (1 goal), Andy McDONAGH, Justin PERRY, Tommy SMITH, Dave MURPHY. Front row, left to right: Darren LEA (team captain & Silhill man-of-the-Final), Curtis KARIM (1 goal), Andy MASTERS (goalkeeper & co-manager), Steve POWELL (co-manager), Karl ROGERSON, Daniel POLLITT. Inset: Danny MORRIS (fractured shinbone late in first half).

Silhill 4th team celebrate a 2-1 extra-time victory over St George’s Warriors 4ths in the 2010 Birmingham & District AFA Roger Holder Cup Final played on 13th March 2010 at The Glades Football Centre, Lugtrout Lane, Solihull.

Back row, left to right: Jonathan ADAMSON, Joe COLE, Bryan LESLIE, Les PHIPPS (joint player-manager), Chris FLOWERS (goalkeeper & Silhill man-of-the-Final), Nick EDMOND (joint player-manager), Dave BUDDEN (1 goal), Andrew PAPAGEORGE (1 goal), Simon SMITH. Front row, left to right: Dave STEPHENS, Neil PAINTAIN, Ben HOWELL, Rob HOULSTON, Harrison EDMOND (team mascot), Chris AVERY (team captain), Paul BERROW, Mike BLAKEMAN.

Silhill 3rd team celebrate winning the 2011 Birmingham & District AFA Minor Cup 3-0 against Shirley Athletic 3rds at West Midlands Travel, Wheelers Lane, Kings Heath, on 26th March 2011.

Back row, left to right: Lawrence MOORE, Chris EARP, Billy LAMBIE, Martin O'DRISCOLL, Phil PRICE (1 goal), Ben ADAMS, David STRATFORD (goalkeeper), Andy POWELL and Ben CLARKE. Front row, left to right: Ryan GOULDING, Jack SHEPHARD (man-of-the-Final), James McFARLANE, Adam HEMMING (1 goal), Chris EDWARDS (team captain), Cameron KNIGHT and Robert STOKES (team manager). Rowan MATTHEWS played but was absent from picture.

The Silhill Select XI, delighted 4-1 winners on Sunday 9th October 2011 of the second annual match for the Stuart Hudson Memorial Cup. This was at Sharmans Cross Road against the Stuart Hudson Friends & Colleagues XI managed by Gavin Meanley. Money raised benefited the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) of Tadworth, Surrey (www.c-r-y.org.uk).

Back row, left to right: Bryan LESLIE (1 goal), Justin BARNES (2 goals), Graham CARTER, Howard YATES (goalkeeper 1st half), Matt SCRIVENS, Andy MASTERS (goalkeeper 2nd half), Neil BANNON. Front row, left to right: Rob HOULSTON (1 goal), Chris AVERY (player-manager with the Cup), Adam MILLS, Stuart McINNES, Matthew HAWKER.

On 3rd October 2009 Stuart had passed away suddenly at the age of 31 whilst playing at home for Silhill 4ths against Northfield Village in Birmingham & District AFA Division 5. In consequence the team’s no.5 shirt which he made famous as centre back and team captain has been retired for ever, celebrating his playing career at Silhill FC from the age of 16.

On Saturday 13th April 2013, with a 3-2 victory at Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Silhill 1sts completed a stunning 5-3 League double over Premier Division champions-to-be Village 1sts. Back row, left to right: Neil BADGER, Steve POWELL, Lee POWELL, Tommy SMITH (team manager), Karl ROGERSON, Danny MORRIS (Man-of-the-Match, scored 2 goals), Justin PERRY, Richard ATKINSON (scored 1 goal). Front row, left to right: Rikki BADGER, Jamie RATHBONE, Darren LEA (team captain), David ICKE, Ross JACKSON, Andy MASTERS (goalkeeper).

Silhill 4th team in front of The Glades stand in Shirley before kick-off against Village 4ths in the 2014 Birmingham & District AFA Roger Holder Cup Final on Saturday 15th March. The score was deadlocked 1-1 after 90 minutes & 2-2 after extra time, but Silhill triumphed 4-2 on penalties, with Tom Coley punching away Village’s fourth.

Back row, left to right: Ben CLARKE, Peter HALL, Jack ENGEHAM, Nick COOMBS, Tom COLEY (goalkeeper), Ross MULLIN, Joe CONSTABLE (pen), Jack DALLEY, Russell ROUND (pen), Adam MILLS (team manager). Front row, left to right: Don HICKMAN, Robbie GARDNER (2 goals), Sam WEBSTER, Jamie O'NEIL (team captain) (pen), Jim TYMON (Man-of-the-Final) (pen), Michael COLE.

The Champions of Birmingham & District AFA Div.6 East, Silhill 4th team line up before playing Coleshill North Warwick in a home League match on Saturday 11th April 2015. The 4ths’ playing record for that Season 2014-15 was P22 W15 D2 L5, goals for 85, against 52.

Back row, left to right: Jamie MAY, Gary RAY, Neil KITCHING (Man-of-the-Match, 2 goals), David BUDDEN (team captain), Richard BROWN, Kieran BUSBY, Tom YOUNGMAN. Front row, left to right: Danny PARTRIDGE, Dale VERNON, Malcolm WARD, Howard YATES (goalkeeper & player-manager), Adam PATERSON, Curtis HARRISON, Chris CONWAY.

Silhill 1sts at Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday 23rd April 2016, prior to a 3-1 victory which completed a 5-2 double over Parkfield Amateur 1sts in the Birmingham & District League Premier Division. Including this one, Silhill under coach Paul “Patch” Curran won 10 of their last 12 League fixtures (out of 24 total) to finish runners-up to Wake Green in the Premier Division table. This was their highest place since finishing second to Sutton United 33 years before, in the 1982/83 Season under the legendary Brian Wigley.

Paul Curran went on to manage Silhill 1sts to third & runners-up spot respectively in the two subsequent Seasons, 2016-17 & 2017-18. From Season 2019-20, Paul switched over to create & manage a Silhill Under 21 team which entered the Midland Football League (MFL) U21 East Division for the first time.

Back row, left to right: Richard ATKINSON, Dean SWIFT (goalkeeper), Andy FRAHER (team captain), Jamie RATHBONE, Sean CORBETT, Ryan ROBINSON, Martin HUMPHRIES (deputy coach). Front row, left to right: Kyle PERKINS, James CALCUTT (1 goal), Garn TSE, Paul “Patch” CURRAN (player-manager), Richard LEARNIHAN (1 goal), Anthony BRIGGS (Man-of-the-Match), Ben WESTLEY, Lee POWELL (absent from photo, 1 goal).

On 18th March 2017, at Hollyfields Sports & Social, Woodacre Road, Erdington, ending a 23-year wait for this silverware, Silhill 2nds won the Junior Cup Final 3-1 against Wake Green 2nds, with goals by, in order, Osborne (first half), followed in the second half by Campbell & Bailey (penalty).

Back row, left to right: James “Ozzy” OSBORNE, Matty WHITEHOUSE, Dean CAMPBELL, Adam WHITE, Matt PARKER (Man-of-the-Final), Gary GILLESPIE, Tommy SMITH. Front row, left to right: Tom STORER, Jamie MAY (player-manager), Ben BAILEY (team captain & deputy coach), Joe SMITH-WALKER (goalkeeper), John SMITH, Harry MOONEY.

On 11th March 2017, Silhill 3rd team defeated Wake Green 4ths 4-2 in the 2017 Norman Worskett Minor Cup Final at Handsworth GSOB, Romilly Avenue, Handsworth Wood. In order, Constable & Humphries scored in the first half, Barritt & Walker in the second.

Back row, left to right: Charlie BARRITT (joint Man-of-the-Final), Tom NOLAN (goalkeeper), Jack SHEPHARD (team captain & joint Man-of-the-Final), Joe CONSTABLE (player-manager), Jon ADAMSON, Zidan SALIM, Adam MILLS (deputy coach), Jonathan HUMPHRIES. Front row, left to right: Harry EDMOND, Aaron O'CONNELL, Sam WEBSTER, Scott PRICE, Matthew ALLELY (reserve goalkeeper), Aqueel ZULFIQAR, Cameron WALKER.

Div.1 Champions Silhill 2nds, “The Invincibles”, went uniquely unbeaten in the League in Season 2017-18 with 17 victories & 3 draws from their 20 fixtures, goals for 93, against 32. Here the team lines up proudly before the Roger Holder Cup Final against Two Gates, played at Sutton United FC, Hollyfield Road, Walmley, on March 24th 2018:

Back row, left to right: Rob STOKES (head coach), Tommy SMITH (goalkeeper & Silhill Man-of-the-Final), Mike PALMER, James “Ozzy” OSBORNE, Dave MARSHALL, Matty PARKER, Sean PLATT, Dean CAMPBELL, Dave JONES, Martin HUMPHRIES (deputy coach). Front row, left to right: Gary GILLESPIE, Harrison EDMOND, Harry MOONEY, Dan DAVIES (team captain), Tom STORER, John SMITH, Sammy DAVIES.

In winning the Birmingham & District Fooball League Div.6 Championship for 2017-18, the Silhill 4ths’ record was P20 W13 D2 L5, goals for 108, against 53. The team is pictured here prior to crushing Whittington Reserves 5-2 at home on 14th April 2018 with goals by Neil Kitching (3), Oliver Humphries & Danny Partridge:

Back row, left to right: Jamie MAY, George TAYLOR, Saleem CHAUDHRI, David BUDDEN (deputy player-manager), Justin BARNES, Neil KITCHING, Oliver HUMPHRIES, Reiss MEADOWS (goalkeeper). Front row, left to right: Danny PARTRIDGE, Charlie FOGARTY MBE (Northern Ireland international), Daisie MAY (mascot), Graham CARTER (player-manager), Jonathan HUMPHRIES (team captain), Lee DIXON, David EVISON.

On Saturday 9th March 2019 Silhill 4th team prior to kickoff in the 2019 Norman Worskett Minor Cup Final contested at the Hollyfields Sports & Social Club, Woodacre Road, Erdington against Wake Green 3rds:

Back row, left to right: Matt JOHNSON (1 goal), George TAYLOR, Justin BARNES (deputy player-manager), Graham CARTER (player-manager), Matt “The Monk” BATESON (goalkeeper), Danny MORRIS (Silhill Man-of-the Final), Jonathan HUMPHRIES (team captain), Saleem CHAUDHRI, Anthony BUTLER. Front row, left to right: Chris EDWARDS, Richard SIMMONDS, Charlie FOGARTY MBE (Northern Ireland international), Lee DIXON, Danny PARTRIDGE, David EVISON, Neil KITCHING, Archie MORRIS (mascot).

In a unique all-Silhill Final, Justin Barnes’s Silhill 3rds (pictured here) defeated Neil Kitching’s Silhill 4ths 2-0 (halftime 1-0) in the B&DFL Norman Worskett Minor Cup Final. It was played at Handsworth Grammar School Old Boys FC, Romilly Avenue, Handsworth Wood, on Saturday 14th March 2020. It was Silhill FC’s last game before the Covid-19 pandemic closed all football down, just 12 days later on 26th March.

Elliot WEIR (from assist by Richard SIMMONDS) & Dave EVISON (from assist by James COE) made no mistake for the goals. Matt SCRIVENS captained the 3rds & Steve POWELL the 4ths. Man-of-the-Final award was shared between Richard SIMMONDS (3rds) & Steve SAUNDERS (4ths).

Back row, left to right: Adam MILLS, Mitchell HOBBS, Jon HUMPHRIES, Matt SCRIVENS (team captain), Matt "The Monk" BATESON (goalkeeper), Justin BARNES (player-manager), Phil PRICE, Graham CARTER, Matt JOHNSON, Fionn KILLEEN (reserve goalkeeper). Front row, left to right: Chris EDWARDS, Elliot WEIR (1 goal), Dave EVISON (1 goal), George TAYLOR, James COE, Lee DIXON, Richard SIMMONDS (3rd team Man-of-the-Final).

Silhill 3rds overpowered old foes Sutton United 3rds 3-1 in the 2022 B&DFL Norman Worskett Minor Cup Final at The Glades Football Centre, Lugtrout Lane, Solihull on Saturday 26th March 2022. Sils’ goals were scored by: Joel FERRARIN (to equalise 1-1), followed in the second 45 by Matt SCRIVENS & Joe CONSTABLE.

Back row, left to right: Dan DAVIES, Joe SMITH-WALKER (goalkeeper), Inderpal MANDAIR (team captain), Matt SCRIVENS (1 goal), Joe CONSTABLE (1 goal), Joel FERRARIN (1 goal), Sean PLATT, Aaron PRICE, Mitchell HOBBS, Rob STOKES (team manager). Front row, left to right: Jamie MAY, Ben BAILEY, Robbie GARDNER, Matt BAILEY, Sammy WEBSTER (Man-of-the-Final), George TAYLOR, Jacob MOSS, Gregg THOMPSON.

Silhill 1sts won the B&DFL Senior Cup 3-0 against Northfield Town on Tuesday evening 26th April 2022, Silhill FC’s fifth Senior Cup. Kicking off at 7:30pm, the Final took place, under floodlights in the second half, on the 3G astroturf pitch of Midland Football League club Boldmere St Michaels in Church Road, Sutton Coldfield.

Goalscorers were: Cameron KNIGHT (first minute, assist by Brandon WILLIAMS); Tom CHERRY (direct freekick over the wall, 57th minute); & Ben WESTLEY (84th minute penalty, after James OSBORNE brought down).

Back row, left to right: Brandon WILLIAMS, Jamie RATHBONE, Ben WESTLEY (Man-of-the-Final, 1 goal), Andy FRAHER, James OSBORNE, Dan WRIGHT (reserve goalkeeper), Tom CHERRY (1 goal), Matt WRIGHT, Matt PICKFORD (goalkeeper), Sean PARKER, Todd BONEHILL, Harry EDMOND, Cameron KNIGHT (1 goal). Front row, left to right: Mike PALMER, Leon BLAKE (team manager), Lewis WILLIAMS, Alfie MERRIMAN, Jamie O'NEIL (team captain).

With an heroic effort from manager Leon Blake, captain Jamie O’Neil, leading goalscorer Tom Cherry & their whole team, Silhill won the Premier Division for only the third time in the Club’s history – in 1961, in 1973 & exactly 50 years on, in 2023. Silhill 1sts’ record as the League Champions for B&DFL Season 2022-2023 was: won 15, drawn 4, lost 5, goal difference +30, points 49.

On the history-making evening of Wednesday 3rd May 2023 at Tat Bank Road, Langley Green, Silhill 1sts defeated AFC Somers with three second-half goals for a 3-0 victory to secure the title. Silhill’s goalscorers on a night to remember were: centre forward Aaron Brown followed by supersub striker John Baker (2). Leftback Brandon Williams was Man-of-the-Match.

Back row, left to right: Leon BLAKE (team manager), Jamie O'NEIL (team captain), Jack SHEPHARD, John BAKER (2 goals), Tom HUDSON, Sean PARKER, Matthew PARKER, Jon MYRIE, Andrew FRAHER, Cameron KNIGHT.

Front row, left to right: Owen FACKRELL, Brandon WILLIAMS (Man-of-the-Match), Ben WESTLEY, Todd BONEHILL, Lewis WILLIAMS, Adam HEMMING, Matthew PICKFORD (goalkeeper, behind Hemming), Tom CHERRY, Adam PATERSON.

Absent from this 1st team photo at Tat Bank Road were: Aaron BROWN (1 goal), Jordan ANDREWS, Mark CANNING, Alfie MERRIMAN & Mike PALMER.

On 18th March 2023 history was made as Silhill were victors by the record margin of 5-1 in their third Amateur Football Alliance London Minor Cup Final, which Sils had also won in 1985 & 2008. Man-of-the-Final Dean Campbell came off the bench to score a magnificent hat-trick. George Taylor lashed in the 1-0 & Ben Stratford the 4-0.

Silhill's high-profile multi-team opponents, the Southern Amateur League champions & hot favourites West Wickham, had a couple of miles to travel to the venue at Old Wilsonians FC, Hayes Hill, Bromley, Kent whereas Rob Stokes's Silhill 3rd team had to endure a four-hour coach trip.

Back row, left to right: John SMITH, Adam HEMMING, Gary GILLESPIE, Joel FERRARIN, Dean CAMPBELL (3 goals, Man-of-the Final), Matty PARKER, Ben STRATFORD (1 goal), Mitchell HOBBS, Rob STOKES (team manager), Ben BAILEY, Dave GEARY. Front row, left to right: George TAYLOR (1 goal), Sammy WEBSTER (team captain), Dave STRATFORD (goalkeeper), Matt BAILEY, Inderpal MANDAIR, Joe CONSTABLE.

On 15th April 2023 Rob Stokes's unstoppable Silhill 3rds blew away local rivals Wake Green 4ths 5-1 in the B&DFL Norman Worskett Cup Final (aka Minor Cup Final) at the Glades Football Centre in Lugtrout Lane, Solihull. Sils' scorers on an afternoon for heroes were Constable 2, Campbell, Gardner & Webster. Rightback speed king & playmaker Adam Hemming was Man-of-the-Final.

Back row, left to right: Rob STOKES (team manager), Dave GEARY, Ben STRATFORD, Joel FERRARIN, Matt SCRIVENS, Mitchell HOBBS, Joe CONSTABLE (2 goals), Matty PARKER, Gary GILLESPIE, Dave STRATFORD (goalkeeper). Front row, left to right: John SMITH, Ben BAILEY, George TAYLOR, Sammy WEBSTER (team captain, 1 goal), Matt BURNS, Matt BAILEY, Robbie GARDNER (1 goal), Dean CAMPBELL (1 goal), Adam HEMMING (Man-of-the-Final), Inderpal MANDAIR.