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 1930's: The club was formed in 1936 with the opening of the British Cellophane Factory in Bath Road. Membership of the football club was restricted solely to factory employees, who registered then, just as they do now, with the Taunton and District Saturday Football League.

The 1940's: Activities were suspended between 1943-45 due to the Second World War but the club was revived in 1946 and won its first major success, winning the first post-war Somerset Intermediate Cup.

The 1950's: The club managed to rise up through the divisions, eventually making it to Division 1.

Unfortunately relegation followed but the slide was haltered when Wilf Saunders returned as manager to reverse the club fortunes and help them return back to the top flight.

The 1950’s also witnessed the formation of the BCL Reserve team and at the end of the decade the company presented the Sports and Social Club with a long-awaited, and much-appreciated Sports Pavilion.

The 1960’s: Mixed fortunes befell the club in the 1960’s but league successes were achieved by winning the Division 4 and Division 3 titles. This success was aided by the involvement of Terry Depledge, who provided valued contribution in various roles at the club for more than four decades.

Next week we will look at the club from the 1970's though to the 1990's. 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.