BRIDGWATER Sports Football Club is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and is calling on all players past and present to join them for a reunion next month.

To celebrate the Mercury is running a three part-feature documenting the history of the club, which for many years was known as the British Cellophane Limited Football Club. The club's current chairman Andy Farkas has kindly worked with the Mercury on this feature.

The 2000's: With the imminent closure of the factory, and its assets, a change in name to Bridgwater Sports FC (BSFC) signified a period of upheaval and uncertainty at both the factory and the football club.

Consequently, the club saw a significant number of players leaving to pursue new challenges and stability at other clubs and in other leagues.

The Colts side was forced to disband and Paul ‘Dosser’ Warren, having played for the club throughout the 1990’s, was now working hard as secretary and treasurer to keep the club affiliated.

The efforts of a small but committed group of volunteers help steady the club until 2003 when Jason Bale took over as first team manager and quickly orchestrated a significant impact on the club.

In the following seasons the club won the Rowbarton Cup twice as well as another league title.

In 2007 the club was once more capable of re-establishing a Colts side under the player-management of Andy Farkas (a member of the original 1986 Colts side).

That same season the Colts achieved promotion, as did the reserve side, which resulted in all three club sides playing in the top three divisions of the league.

The club was once again on a sound footing both off and on the pitch and its superiority continued by winning the league title in both 2008 and 2009.

2010’s: BSFC's on-pitch successes were soon overshadowed as the club's future was once again put in a position of grave danger.

Plans for accommodation to house Hinkley C workers were published and included the demolition of the clubhouse, pitches and facilities used by the club.

The ongoing distress and uncertainty for the club resulted in a reduction in the number of members and the consequential disbandment of the Colts side.

However, the club were not going to stand by and watch its demise, and a long and hard fought battle began. With the vital assistance of Leigh Redman, town councillor and long-time supporter, meetings and discussions were held with the town, district and county council along with the Football Association and EDF.

Eventually perseverance paid off, with two new pitches and changing facilities being built for use by the club on land adjacent to the Kings Down housing development.

So with much sadness on Saturday, March 2, 2013, after 74 years, the final match was played at the club's home ground, the Bridgwater and Sports Social Club.

Despite the off-field anguish, and a temporary relocation to Sydenham School, the eventual move to a new home at Kings Down in 2014 proved to be a successful one.

The Colts side was soon to be reformed and the team has continued racking up trophies.

Chairman Andy Farkas said : "There is no doubt the ‘Cellophane’ clubhouse is sorely missed. Many have such fond memories of late night celebrations held there, but the club has now settled into its new HQ with the help of the staff at The Bunch of Grapes.

As we come towards the end of this season, the first team are poised to retain the league title, the reserves have qualified for the Rowbarton Cup Final and the Colts have qualified for the Gardner Cup Final.

Mr Farkas concluded: "BSFC are a proud club which is blessed with a talented, committed and loyal membership, however we all recognise and are humbled by the past history of the club and are sincerely grateful to all members, past and present, who have contributed towards the club's continued presence in the community.

The club's reunion will taking place in the Blake Hall on Friday, May 19. Tickets cost £6 and can the event will start at 7pm, there will be food and live music. For more information contact Andy Farkas on andyfarkas007@yahoo.co.uk.