One of the country’s oldest football clubs has managed to reform after attracting more than 30 players at the start of the new season.

Holt Football Club dates from 1864 and was the first to be formed in Wiltshire and is the fourth oldest Football Association-registered club side in the country. 

It was registered with the FA a year after Notts County FC, which is the oldest professional football club in the world, after being formed on November 28 1862.

Wiltshire Times: An early photograph of the Holt Football Club playing at Holt Recreation Field. Copy Photo: Trevor Porter 70489An early photograph of the Holt Football Club playing at Holt Recreation Field. Copy Photo: Trevor Porter 70489 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Local roofing contractor Nigel Tripp has managed to form a new team three years after Holt FC withdrew from the Wiltshire Senior League. 

Mr Tripp, who lives in Holt, said: “We have attracted 30-plus players to our training sessions and it’s hoped that a ladies' team could be formed in the future.  

“The aim is to connect all ages of the community by playing and supporting the team in so many different ways.  

“We are keen to attract sponsorship and hopefully publicise the new venture.”

Wiltshire Times: The team at Holt Football Club with chairman and manager Nigel Tripp and assistant manager Adam Douglas. Trevor Porter 70489-3aThe team at Holt Football Club with chairman and manager Nigel Tripp and assistant manager Adam Douglas. Trevor Porter 70489-3a (Image: Trevor Porter)

Holt FC are now in second behind Freshford United FC in Division Two of the Trowbridge & District League table after playing 15 matches.

The team are on 27 points, having won eight games, drawn three and lost four but are 13 points behind the Division Two league leaders.

But Mr Tripp, who is chairing the club as well as being the team manager and coach, is pleased with their performance so far.

He’s also delighted that most of the club’s squad live in the village and comprise a mix of older and younger players.

Wiltshire Times: Holt Football Club chairman and manager Nigel Tripp who, together with his committee, has re-established the club. Trevor Porter 70489-8Holt Football Club chairman and manager Nigel Tripp who, together with his committee, has re-established the club. Trevor Porter 70489-8 (Image: Trevor Porter)

“We’ve got a few lads who have played at a higher level and some who have never been coached before, but it’s going very well.”

The only downside is that when Holt FC dropped out of the Wiltshire Senior League in 2020 its changing room showers were decommissioned.

“The Wiltshire FA has allowed us to go into Division Two on the pretext that we will get our showers fixed and that should be in a month or so," Mr Tripp said.

When the club withdrew in 2020 after being unable to complete all of their fixtures, the first team were playing in the Wiltshire Senior League.

Despite efforts by the league to see if Holt could continue it was confirmed at the January 2020 management committee that they had withdrawn from the league.

With Holt having played only ten league fixtures, lower than the 75 per cent threshold, their record was expunged from the league table in accordance with FA rules.