Fawley Association Football Club (AFC): A Legacy of Passion and Perseverance

Established in 1923 as AGWI United, Fawley AFC has been an integral part of our community's sporting landscape. The club joined the Hampshire League in 1930 and underwent a name change to Esso Fawley in 1949, reflecting the refinery's ownership by Esso. In 2002, the club adopted its current name, Fawley AFC, and continues to compete in the Wessex League Division One. Known affectionately as "The Oilers," the club has a rich history of nurturing local talent and promoting the love of football across all age groups.

Fawley Cricket Club: A Tradition of Excellence

Formed in 1936 as the sports and social club for the refinery, Fawley Cricket Club has a storied history of cricketing excellence. Since 2000, the club has operated independently, offering opportunities for players of all ages to engage in the sport. The club runs three adult sides playing league cricket and provides programs for children from age five upwards, ensuring the continuation of cricketing traditions in the community.

The Genesis: Fawley Refinery and the Birth of a Community Hub

In 1949, the Fawley Refinery was established, marking a significant industrial development in the region. To cater to the recreational needs of its employees, a Sports and Recreation Club was built the same year. This facility quickly became a central hub for workers and their families, fostering a strong sense of community through various sports and social activities.

Transition and Expansion: Waterside Sports and Social Club

In 2002, the management of the club transitioned to the Waterside Sports and Social Club (WSSC) under a lease agreement. During this period, the club expanded its offerings, accommodating a broader spectrum of sports and community events. It became home to multiple local sports teams, including Fawley AFC and Fawley Cricket Club, and featured amenities such as football pitches, cricket grounds, tennis courts, and a bowls area.

Challenges and Closure: The End of an Era

Despite its vibrant community presence, the WSSC faced financial difficulties, leading to its unfortunate liquidation in late 2016. The closure of the club left a void in the community, with the main building becoming dilapidated over time. However, the sports pitches continued to serve local teams, ensuring that sports activities persisted despite the challenges.

Resilience and Rebirth: Formation of the Holbury Community Sports Association

In response to the club's closure, dedicated members of the community established the Holbury Community Sports Association (HCSA). Operating under a short-term license from Esso, the HCSA aimed to maintain and promote sports activities in the area. The association ensured that local sports teams, including Waterside Bowls Club, Waterside Tennis Club, Fawley AFC and Fawley Cricket Club, had access to necessary facilities, even resorting to temporary solutions like portable cabins for changing rooms.

A New Chapter: Fawley Sports C.I.C

Building on the community's resilience and passion for sports, Fawley Sports Community Interest Company (C.I.C) was incorporated on January 28, 2025. With its registered office in Southampton, Hampshire, Fawley Sports C.I.C is a micro-sized entity, reflecting its grassroots origins and community-focused mission.

ExxonMobil's Commitment: Enhancing Local Sports Facilities

ExxonMobil Fawley has played a pivotal role in supporting and revitalizing local sports infrastructure:

• Floodlight Funding for Fawley AFC (2019): In 2019, Fawley AFC faced challenges with outdated and failing floodlights, which threatened their eligibility to compete in their league. Recognizing the importance of maintaining the club's status and supporting local sports, ExxonMobil Fawley contributed £16,000 towards the replacement of the floodlights. This timely intervention ensured that Fawley AFC could continue its participation in the Sydenhams Wessex League Division One.

• £200,000 Investment in Sports and Community Hub (2025): Demonstrating a continued commitment to the community, ExxonMobil Fawley announced a substantial investment of £200,000 to upgrade local sports and community facilities. This funding aims to enhance the infrastructure available to the Holbury and Waterside communities, fostering a more vibrant and inclusive environment for sports and social activities.

Looking Ahead: Revitalizing Community Spirit

Fawley Sports CIC represents a bold and united vision for the future of sport in the local community. At its heart, this initiative is about securing the long-term survival of Fawley AFC and Fawley Cricket Club—two clubs with deep-rooted histories that have provided sporting opportunities to generations of local players.

For years, both clubs operated separately but faced increasing financial and logistical challenges, particularly following the closure of the Waterside Sports & Social Club. The loss of the clubhouse and proper facilities created uncertainty around their futures, making it clear that without significant change, both clubs could struggle to continue.

Rather than allow this decline, the leadership of both clubs came together, recognizing that their best chance of survival—and future growth—lay in working together. Fawley Sports CIC was formed as the official parent organization for both Fawley AFC and Fawley Cricket Club, creating a single, unified entity to drive forward the development of sport in the local area.

Our Mission: Saving and Strengthening Our Clubs

The immediate challenge for Fawley Sports CIC is to secure the future of both football and cricket in the area by ensuring we have the facilities, funding, and community engagement needed to thrive. We are committed to:

• Developing a New Sport Facility
  A key priority is fundraising and securing investment for the construction of a new sports pavilion, which will serve as a hub for both clubs and the wider community. This facility will provide modern changing rooms, a clubhouse, and improved infrastructure to support long-term growth.

• Sustaining and Growing Participation
  We are working to increase youth and adult participation in football and cricket, ensuring that both clubs remain strong for years to come. A key part of this is delivering engaging grassroots programs, school partnerships, and community initiatives that encourage more people to get involved.

• Engaging the Community
  Fawley Sports CIC is not just about sport—it’s about bringing people together. We want to ensure that the local community has a stake in our success, and we’re committed to running events, programs, and activities that extend beyond the pitch, creating a social hub for families, supporters, and residents.

• Fundraising & Long-Term Financial Stability
  With the support of ExxonMobil, the Football Foundation, local councils, and community donors, we are working to raise the funds needed for facility improvements and long-term sustainability. Securing grants, sponsorships, and new income streams is essential to the continued survival of both clubs.

A New Beginning

By uniting football and cricket under one organization, we are ensuring that neither club is left behind, and that sport in the area continues to flourish for generations to come. Fawley Sports CIC is more than just a sports club—it is a community-driven movement, determined to preserve our sporting heritage and build a better future for players, fans, and families alike.

We invite everyone—whether a player, volunteer, business, or supporter—to join us in this journey. Together, we can protect our past, secure our present, and build a future that keeps sport at the heart of Fawley.