Magdalen Arms FC

Formed in 1994, Magdalen Arms FC were oringally known as Gorleston Rangers Reserves FC. The original side contained players such as Ross and Scott Downes, Jonny Bradnum and was managed by Bob Bradnum. After two seasons, the 1st team folded and was replaced by the Reserves in division 2. Promotion to division 1 followed but after a difficult season, which saw Bob Bradnum resign as manager, and be replaced by Ross Downes, the team folded at the end of the 1997/98 season. All the players went their seperate ways for a season, and a year later the team re-formed in 1999 as Spandlers FC but changed their name 2 years later to incorporate the name of their main sponsor. Bob Bradnum guided the team into 4th place in division 4 in their first season, which took them into division 3, where they finished 4th again. Again, due to the lack of teams in the league, the team was promoted to division 2. Towards the end of the 2000/01 season Bob stepped down as manager and was replaced by former captain Gary Calver, who was assisted by another former player who had retired through injury, Scott Downes. The Calver era, saw an improvement and a 3rd place in division 2, and promotion again. This was backed up by an excellent 2-1 victory after extra time, over division 2 champions Camden Tavern in the Jim Bloomfield Cup Final. Their first season in the top division, was blighted by serious injuries to key players, and so a 5th place finish was fairly impressive against the odds. The 2003/2004 season started brightly with the team unbeaten in the first 4 matches, but then they had to wait until February for their next win. Relegation was on the cards until impressive wins in the last few matches moved the Mag clear of relegation. Towards the end of the season manager Gary Calver announced he would have to step down due to work commitments. The Mag appointed Lee Hodgson as new manager, who had left two times champions MK United. Lee"s spell in charge was to be brief, as after only one game in charge, he left the club by mutual consent. His plan to bring in too many new players, didn"t go down well, and so Ross Downes and Chris Browne took over as joint managers. The Maggy Boys are a family club. Manager Gary Calver has both his sons playing, then there"s the many sets of brothers - Ross & Scott Downes, Mark & Stu Smith, Jonny & Chris Blake and Benny, Paul & Dean Russell. The club Secretary is Gary Calvers wife Fiona, and the club treasurer is Soctt Downes"s wife Rachel.

Magdalen Arms FC squad

Nicky Longstaff

Joff Olley

Mark Bennington

Glen Miller

Paul Russell

Tony Mullings

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