Framlingham Town FC, also known as ‘The Castlemen’ were founded in 1887 and have resided at various locations around the Framlingham area including Dickson’s Meadow & Red House Farm but in 1932, Hayning’s Meadow, now ‘The Pageant Field’ became their home before joining the newly formed Framlingham Sports Club in 1951with Badingham Road being our permanent ground ever since.
In its 137yr history, FTFC have played in various Leagues. The Framlingham League in its early years now known as The Ipswich & District League. The Woodbridge League was next before progress to The Leiston League at the end of WW2 until 1966. The club gained admission into The Ipswich & District Premier League (now SIL Senior) and competed there for many decades.

Many years followed with promotion and relegation with even a spell in Division 2, but eventually Senior status was regained in 1989. There followed some very successful years winning ‘The McNeil Cup’ in 1990 and were SIL Senior runners-up in 1991. 1992 saw us lift the SIL Senior League title and ‘The McNeil Cup’ double and in 1996 we reached the SCFA Senior Cup Final and were again, League runner-up in 1997.

With that very successful period etched in our history, the club’s fortunes varied once again but eventually, we regained Senior status and with a workman like season gained promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Div 1 League in 2016/17 & Step 6 of the National League pyramid.
After a very successful inaugural season, finishing in the top half of the table an even better 2017/18 season saw us finishing League runners-up & promotion into the TN Premier League and Step 5 of the National League pyramid, whilst also competing in the FA Cup for the very first time and having a superb run in the FA Vase. The clubs highest ever achievements!
The 2018/19 season in the TN Premier League proved to be very tough for the club and although there were many good battling performances, we succumbed to relegation with the Thurlow Nun Div 1 North League beckoning for the 2019/20 season start.

With a midtable position secured, the infamous Covid-19 pandemic struck, wiping out the rest of the 2019/20 season! Hopes were high that the 2020/21 season would go ahead, however, apart from success in reaching the SFA Senior Cup Semi’s and our Reserves reaching the SFA Reserve Cup Semi’s, Covid-19 continued to disrupt the season and ultimately ended it once again. With Covid-19 in decline, the 2021/22 season got underway and for ‘The Castlemen’ was a very successful year culminating in a 5th place League finish and a Semi-final play-off match at Harleston Town, losing 2-1 at the final whistle after a tight game.

FTFC is built on solid foundations formed from the hard endeavours of its committee, volunteers, sponsors & supporters, and the standard of our facilities & grounds are testament to those people and their continued hard work both past & present, establishing a strong & stable club over many years and beyond.
We are honoured to have some local legends within the club who are known and respected throughout the Suffolk footballing fraternity. Namely, Bryan Parker, Sydney & Christine Vice, Fiona & Keith (Curly) Whatling amongst others, all of which have received 50yr Service Awards over recent years. 2019 saw Bryan step down as President after some 27 years in the role and was replaced by Iain Smith who in 2023 decided to step down after 5 years in the role. Sydney accepted his Long Service Meritorious Award way back in 1991 and after decades of dedication to FTFC, has now stepped down from all duties after his wife, Christine, sadly passed away in 2021.

2022/23 saw the ‘Castlemen’ enjoy one of their most successful seasons in recent years including numerous Semi-Finals, Cup/Trophy Finals & play-off Semi-Finals. Our A’ Team won the SIL Div 4 League and promotion to Div3, while our Reserves narrowly missed out in the TNL Chell Trophy Final and our Veterans ending the season as League Runners-Up. However, the season culminated at Colchester Utd’s Stadium with the First team beating AFC Sudbury Reserves to win the Suffolk Senior Cup Final for the very first time in the club’s 137yr history. The Club also undertook & completed some major facility improvements including our new pitch perimeter and security fencing project.

With 2023 came some restructuring within the management committee with Dean Warner, Chairman for the previous 9yrs being appointed Club President while Tom Palmer, our main sponsor, taking up the role of Chairman along with other new appointments.
The club continued their progressive facility improvements including, improved food outlet facilities, major upgrades to Syd’s Place kitchen and other projects were completed. On the field, the club experienced a mixed season with the first team falling foul of the Play-Off Semis once again.

The Club continued its journey into the 2024/25, completing the new LED Floodlight upgrade project. A major project undertaken & supported by numerous Club management, volunteers & organisations who we are forever grateful to for their vital support. Our new joint Chairmen. Chris Howard & Karl Legg, done a fantastic job all season but sadly, both have since stepped down due to personal reasons.
On the field, the first team hit that play-off wall once again, but better fortune was enjoyed by our U23’s winning the Chell Trophy, while our Veterans gained a second successive promotion. Our ladies, in their second season, also had a much improved 24/25 finishing mid table.

We look forward to the 2025/26 season with new energy, a new Chairman, new volunteers and new sponsors!!

#UpTheTown