Seaview

Seaview FC

Ground: Seaview Park

Capacity: c500

Club Founded: 1890

League: Isle of Wight Saturday League Division Two (current level)

Football is far more than the highly paid pros and clubs that have turned into huge corporate operations. Many clubs exist for recreation and to serve the community, such as Isle of Wight's Seaview FC.

Club Background

Seaview FC is an amateur football club formed in 1890, from the village of the same name on the Isle of Wight. The team initially played in a field opposite its current ground off Seagrove Manor Road before moving to Holgate Farm in 1935.

The 1950s saw great success at the club, as Seaview progressed through the Isle of Wight League, winning promotions with a team mainly consisting of village players. Ryde-born Roy Shiner, a former striker at Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, became Seaview manager in the 1960s as his side were crowned Isle of Wight League champions on four occasions.

The trio of Colin Nash, Tony Grimwade, and David Winter were prolific scorers during the glory years, with others such as Keith and Trevor Allen, as well as Nobby Nash, making huge contributions as the island's Senior Cup was lifted in 1968-69. 

Keith Allen went on to play for Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle, with his brother Trevor playing for Southampton and Weymouth. The club lost their old wooden dressing rooms in a fire in 1974. Cash was raised to replace them with a friendly against Portsmouth before Reg Langdon took over as manager in the 1980s. 

His team won promotion back to Division One before Seaview dropped back to the second tier. They were relegated another level before returning to Division Two for the 2017-18 campaign, where the side consolidated.

Some lower-table finishes followed in the ensuing seasons as the club continued playing at their stunning, if basic, Seaview Park home.

My visit

Tuesday 27th April 2021

After visiting the Isle of Wight in July the previous year, I paid more attention to the local league scene. I thought I’d visited the most prominent venues until a blog drew my attention to a picturesque place worth seeing.

Fed up with the COVID-19 rules, which stated that spectators could not attend football matches of a certain standard, I decided to head back to the island to take in the match between Shanklin and Vectis in the top level of the competition.

It was a stunning day as the hovercraft dropped me off in Ryde. I had plans in mind before my 6pm kick-off. With my bag dropped at my secure, isolated Airbnb accommodation, it was time for a walk.

The Coastal Path took me to the eastern side of Ryde and some very nice areas I was previously unaware of. It continued around the sea wall, taking me to the beautiful little village of Seaview, two and a half miles away.

My timings allowed me to climb the hill and take a look at the Seaview Park ground before taking the number 8 bus towards Sandown via Bembridge. Sadly, nowhere seemed to be open for libation, more the pity.

An elderly lady thought she recognised me. Whatever, it was nice to be around friendly folk. It was quite an incline from High Street up to Old Seaview Lane before a signpost directed me to the venue along Seaview Manor Road. A narrow lane led to the entrance off it.

It was a basic little football ground, but with an enclosed feel, with houses down one side and trees around most of the rest. It offered tantalising views of the ocean, well, at least they felt that way in such beautiful weather. Maybe not so much on a stormy winter’s day.

The Seagrove Pavilion was a wonderfully maintained structure. They had certainly done a good job back in 1975. There was also a small cover on the north side of the pitch.

Delighted with both my walk and being able to visit such a pretty football ground, I continued on to catch my bus. Maybe one day I may return. I would love to do a spell on the island, seeing matches at each club venue.