Club History
The Club was originally formed in 1969 as a supporter's Club for Winchester City Football and Hockey teams and consequently took on the name WINCHESTER CITY SPORTSMENS CLUB. Though ostensibly a private members club, it was actually a propriety club run by a small syndicate of businessmen who formed the 1st committee. After 12 months, the 1st election saw the 1st committee ousted and a completely new committee of members took its place. After a further 12 months, the members obtained a mortgage and bought the club from the syndicate and thus became a properly constituted members club in 1971.
The club became affiliated to the W.M. Club and Institute Union on the 1st January 1976 and successfully paid off its mortgage in 1979. To avoid confusion with other bodies having the word Winchester City in their title, these words were dropped from the Club's title in 1989 and the new name Sportsman's Club was officially registered.
The Club's 1st Club Management Diploma was awarded to the then Secretary, Bob Cunningham in 1978, and having obtained 1st and 2nd places in the examination, he was persuaded to stand for the Branch Executive Committee of the C.I.U. and went on to become its 1st Finance Committee Chairman. a C.M.D. Tutor, Games Chairman, Vice-President and President and went on to server 22 years. After more than 30 year's service as Club Secretary, Bob handed over the reins to the safe hands of Martin Davidson C.M.D., who had also passed the examination with honours in both sections. In 2014 Mrs Jill Read became the club's 3rd C.M.D. and the 1st woman to gain the distinction.
For the last quarter of a century the club has constantly been represented on the Wessex Branch Executive, at one time having no less than 3 club members serving together. The Club enjoys a good reputation with other Branch clubs and its management and administrative approach is second to none. The Club has also been a champion of equal rights for ladies and has been heard several time at the annual Blackpool conference expounding these beliefs. From its inception, the Sportsman's Club has recognised women as equals and has benefitted from their service as constant committee members. Ladies were at last granted full rights in April 2007 and club congratulates the C.I.U. for its persistence in finally achieving this aim. In 2008 the club re-registered under the Industrial and Provident Services Act and became Sportsman's Club Ltd.