Newtown, in East Basseterre, St.Kitts has produced an abundance of talented footballers. Their talents have been harnessed by clubs both in and outside the community. Rovers,Rivals, Manchester United and Superstars were among the many clubs to have benefited from the multi talented footballers produced by the Newtown community.
Included among the players of undoubted quality who have brought pride and joy to football fans were ; Morris Paul, Stanley Thompson, SM.McKenzie, the great Ivan Hobson, Glouchy Williams, Lascelle "Shine" Maynard, Joseph "Pigs" Ferdinand, Auckland "Marley" Hector, Sam Lake, Elston Tuckett, Elvis Jacobs and Rudy Simmonds.
Those players and others have either represented St.Kitts or participated in trials to gain national selection.
Newtown Football has had a very rich colourful and varied history, the main highlights of which are recorded herein.
Encourage by the success of the Pond Site Netball Team some including Arthur "Son" Crossman, Wilfred Tuckett and Dudley Gumbs were convinced that Newtown football could have achieved similar success.
Formation of the Pond Site Rangers in July 1963 with Earl Clarke elected captain.Indiscipline and inadequate training affected the team which lost its first game and lasted one season only.
The Zip Tide Football Team was formed with Leroy Ponteen and Earl Clarke among the early mavers and shakers to ensure participation in the Third (3rd) Division. Zip Tide secure its first win in its first game and went on to get promoted to the second (2nd) Division.
After the promotion the team name was change to Newtown United to encourage wider community supporters and a more representative team.
Mr Thomas "Tommy" Molineaux, Mr.Ivan Hobson and Mr Earl Clarke came together to formed the first management team for the club.
The first official memebership of the second division Newtown United Football team included :
Leroy Ponteen, Roy Weekes, Two Teeth, Bouncer Gonzalves, Rudy Val, Squash phillip, Rudy Simmonds, Rudolph Ritchin, Bugs Bunny, Whoop Procope, Oscar and Derrick Gumbs, Buller Mason and Malcolm "Sharks" Maynard.The team was relegated back to the Third (3rd) division before regaining its place back in the second (2nd) division. After a 2:1 victory over Superstars in a play off game in the 1975 season the team was promoted to the first division.
The team main aim was to establish itself in the first division . Under the guidance of Mr. Ivan Hobson a former national player and coach, the team committed itself to the rigours of the hard training and became a team to watch.
The team was now fully establish and made a very strong challenge for the championship but only manage the runners up spot to Superstars the then defending champions. The club finally got its crown in 1981 winning its first National Championship. Newtown went on to win the National championships in 84 -87-88-89 WOW !!!
The club represented St.Kitts in St.Martin and won the championships three (3) consecutive years 1987 -1988 -1989 without loosing a single game. Winning 7 and drawing 1 in the eight (8) games that were played. Three (3) in 87, Three (3) in 88 and Two (2) in 89.
This decade saw a team now under the guidance of Mr Clinton "Tinnie" Percival an understudy of Mr Ivan Hobson, with all the ingredients to compete and be very hard to beat. We lost the championships in 1990 and 1991 placing second each time. 1992and 1993saw the championships back in our hands. We lost it in 1994 placing second once again .
We also participated in the American Airlines Caribbean Club Championships in 1994 and advanced to the third round (semi final) stage before we were eliminated by US Roberts fc of Martinique.
Four Peat Following the Caribbean Club Championships in 94, the level of the club and players had moved up a few notches. The players were very motivated and trained very hard to proved that they were truly the undisputed Football Champions of St.Kitts winning four(4) consecutive years, 1995, 96, 97, 98.
We lost the cup in 1999 to SL Horsford St.Pauls United Fc. .
2000 and beyond -- Rebuilding
The club has been going through a transition period with a number of younger players joining the organization and gradually taking a place in the team andwe have still maintained a very high standard..
The Premier League was introduced in 1999 and Newtown United, the defending First Division Champions secured their position, and quickly became the most sought after team. Since then, the team has played in all the play-off matches to date, entered into the finals on three occassions, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2006-07 and took the cup in the 2003-04 and 2006-07 seasons.
The thrill of winning then becamea partof us, locally, regionally and internationally. Over the years, many national players and coaches have managed the team. Their determination, committment, team building efforts and their passion for the game, have earned them many rewards and national respect.
