Corsham Print
Wiltshire Senior League
Former Clubs
West Lavington
Ground
West Lavington Playing Fields, West Lavington, Devizes, SN10 4LW

Seasons in League (Number and period)
2 Seasons (1976-77 & 1977-78)

Status
Folded

League & Cup Honours (when in WSL)
None

Club Notes
West Lavington were a founder member of the Wiltshire County League but were to stay in the league for just two seasons.

West Lavington had been formed in 1897 and started life in the Devizes & District League. The 1930’s saw them progress to playing in Division 2 of the old Wiltshire League at the start of the decade and again at the end just before the outbreak of World War II. When football resumed after the war, West Lavington were again in Division 2 and after finishing third in both 1948-49 and 1949-50 they went one better in Season 1951-52, finishing runners-up to Sherston. They continued to be an upper half of the table side through the early 1950’s and in Season 1955-56 gained promotion to Division 1 for the first time following a re-organisation of football in the county which saw the formation of the Wiltshire Premier League. Their first season in Division 1 saw them finish in 10th place.  West Lavington remained a Wiltshire League Division 1 side into the 1960’s generally finishing in the top half of the table. 

The formation of the Wiltshire Combination League in 1968 saw West Lavington join the top sides in the county playing in the Combination Division 1, achieving a 15th place finish in the inaugural season. However, they found it much harder going in the Combination and were relegated at end of 1970-71 after finishing second from bottom. Season 1974-75 saw them back playing in the old Wiltshire League in Division 1 of that league. The final season in the old Wiltshire League was a tough one for West Lavington and they finished bottom of the league with just three wins from their 26 games.

On the formation of the new Wiltshire County League in 1976-77, West Lavington were placed in Division 2 and had another torrid season, finishing at the bottom again, this time achieving just one win, a narrow 1-0 success over Avebury, They conceded the most goals in the division, including 14 away at Rowde. The second, and what was to be the final season in the league, saw some improvement with West Lavington finishing second from bottom but with 15 points to their name, ironically the one side below them was Rowde who had inflicted that heavy defeat the season before.

After leaving the Wiltshire County League, West Lavington joined the Trowbridge & District League where they were to enjoy a successful period for the club. Season 1978-79, their first in the Trowbridge & District League, saw them finish as runners-up to RNSD Copenacre in Division 4 and achieve promotion at the first attempt. The upward trajectory continued the following season as they took the Division 3 title in their first season at that level to gain back-to-back promotions. This was repeated again the following season as this time they bagged the Division 2 title to gain promotion to the top division.

The run of titles ended in Season 1981-82, but they went close, finishing as runners-up to Westbury United Reserves in their first season in the top division. West Lavington didn’t have to wait long for that first title though as the following season they swapped places with Westbury to take the Division 1 title for the first time. They also won the Knockout Cup beating Potterne in the final to achieve a fine double. West Lavington again made the final the following season but lost to Hilperton Utd. 

There were to be no more league titles but West Lavington did go close in both 1989-90 and 1994-95 finishing as runners-up in Division 3 in 89-90, a season which saw them lift the Spring Cup, and then runners-up in Division 2 five years later. 

Subsequently it appears that West Lavington’s Saturday side folded.

Team Record
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