Bishopmill Villa are an amateur football club based in Elgin. The club plays in the Moray District Welfare Football Association, and compete in the Planwell Roofing Premier Division with nine other teams.
The club has had four diffrent names in its history. They were founded as The Bishops F.C., later assuming the name Rising Sun F.C.. In 2004, they became known as Diceys Bar F.C., and then in 2006 as Size Bar F.C. In 2006, they scored 113 goals in 22 league games (while conceding only 35) and also finished runners-up in the Premier Division to rivals Burghead United. The club has seen most of its success in recent years, having won a total of 5 trophies, while reaching a further 2 cup finals.
The club adopted its current name in 2007, when they won the treble — including The Mike Simpson Memorial Trophy, The Planwell Roofing Trophy and the club's first ever League Championship — winning the Planwell Roofing Premier Division by a margin of 8 points after 22 league games played.
Villa currently play their home games at Pinefield in Elgin. However, their original home is Deanshaugh in Elgin, but due to construction work that took place on the pitch, Deanshaugh is no longer playable.The club were forced to play all their home games at Lesser Borough Briggs during the 2007 season, where they won their first ever Treble.
In 2008, Villa were brought back down to life in a season of ups and downs. In the Mike Simpson Cup, they were knocked out at the first hurdle by the most improved team in the League, Aberlour Villa- who went on to knock Bish out of the Planwell Cup in a frantic Semi Final. However, Bishopmill won the only trophy they have never won, beating Portgordon Victoria in the final of the Tewnion Memorial Trophy at Kynoch Park, Keith. The score after extra time was 3-3, Villa winning 3-0 on penalties. In the League, the champions threw away far too many silly points and that meant they finished in a very disappointing 4th position, behind Portgordon, Aberlour and champions Moray Social- who won the League on the last day of the season: against Villa in the Elgin derby!!
2009 was a very disappointing season for Villa, as they came runners-up in every trophy they contested! The League campaign witnessed far too many draws, but only in the end saw Villa defeated once, away to Rothes! Portgordon Victoria won the League Championship, with Villa coming close behind in 2nd. The Mike Simpson Memorial Trophy was an epic encounter between the two Villa's, ending 4-4 after extra time in front of a huge crowd at Borough Briggs. It was to be Aberlour Villa's name on the cup though for the 2nd year in a row, as they won 3-1 on, a dire, penalty shoot-out. The 2nd cup final was just as dramatic, with Villa leading Hopeman 2-0 at half time in the Tewnion Memorial Final at Kynoch Park, Keith. Holders Villa, let that lead slip in the second half though, and ended up losing the cup 4-3 to the first division side.
The final game of the 2009 season was between the top two teams in Moray Welfare Football, as Portgordon and Bishopmill went head to head in the final of the Planwell Cup. The game was a bit of an anti-climax, and two first half goals were enough for Portgordon to complete their league and cup double, winning 2-1. Villa only suffered defeat on 4 occaisions the entire season, but it just so happens that 3 of those were in cup finals, with only one occurring in the league.
Manager Ali Burr decided to call it a day following the 3rd cup final, due to family committments amongst other things. Burr delivered 6 trophies, in 7 years at Villa, including the club's first ever League Championship! He was replaced at the beginning of 2010 by former Portgordon boss Alfie Morrison, whom we wish well in the forthcoming season.
Now for a look at THE PRESENT DAYS:
Our Details;
President- Fraser Robson
Manager- Alfie Morrison
Assistant Manager- Captain- Gary Burr
Vice-Captain-
Secretary- Gary Burr
Treasurer- Alistair Burr
Website Editor- Ally Burr Jnr
Home Park- Pinefield, Elgin
Home Colours: All Blue
Away Colours: All Red
Contact Details:
E-mail: bvfc@fsmail.net
Telephone: 01343 546215 / 07809 457299 (Gary Burr)
