Old dugouts at Cowes Sports FC
Cowes Sports v Hythe and Dibden, in the Hampshire Senior Cup
The main stand at Westwood Park
The new dugouts at Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports are one of the oldest clubs in the Wessex League (and on the Isle of Wight), dating from 1881. The club folded eight years later but was reformed in 1903 and moved to its current Westwood Park home in 1912. The present name was adopted in 1980.
In their very early years, Cowes played in the Southern League against the likes of Spurs, Millwall and Bristol City. Much of their existence has been in the Hampshire League with seven title wins, the last resulting in promotion to the Wessex in 1993-94.
Cowes finally joined the Wessex Premier in 2006-07 but were relegated four years later. In 2014-15 they won promotion and in the last few years have finished consistently in mid-table.
The Yachtsmen’s best FA Cup run came in 1962-63 when they reached the fourth qualifying round before losing to Yeovil. Their best season in the FA Vase was in 1999-2000 when they reached the last sixteen before Taunton Town ended their run.
The main feature of the Diverse Marine Stadium at Westwood Park is the main stand, seating 250 and one of the largest at this level in non-league. It was erected in just 24 hours by a team of shipyard workers in the 1930s. There is covered standing accommodation next to it, in a capacity of 2000.
The easiest way to get to the ground is to take the Red Jet high-speed ferry from Southampton to Cowes. On leaving the ferry terminal turn left and then first right to walk up Park Road for half a mile, taking the fourth right into Reynolds Road. The postcode is PO31 7NT.
