History

Westbury Rangers was formed in 1970 by Eli Mannesseh. In those early days the club was known as Westbury QPR and consisted of a group of lads who lived on a local estate. They played friendlies for the first couple of years before they joined the Chippenham Sunday League in 1972. This makes Westbury Rangers the longest serving team in the league today.

Over the years since they first joined the league Rangers have expanded and now also run a reserve team. The present reserve team currently reside in Division 3 and in recent times have had a successful spell, winning the Division 4 title in 2003. Previous to this the reserves had won Division 4 in 1982 and then went on to win Division 3 the following season. In 1982 the reserves also ran out as winners of the WG Parr Trophy bringing the season to very successful finish.

The first honours came for the 'A' team at the end of the 1977/78 season when they finished runners-up in the then Division 4 to gain promotion to Division 3. In 1980 the momentum was sustained when Rangers became winners of Division 3 and were runners up in the WG Parr Trophy. In 1993 they were again beaten finalists in the WG Parr Trophy, losing by a single goal to Melksham Unicorn. Since then Rangers 'A' have gone from strength to strength and now play in the Premier Division. In 2003/4 season Rangers 'A' finished in their highest ever position when they were runners-up in the Premier Division behind Sherston Town. Finally, in season 2004/5 Westbury Rangers 'A' became champions of the Chippenham and District Sunday Football League. The same season also saw Westbury 'A' runners-up to a very strong Corsham Centre in the Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup.

With the leadership of Viv Gardiner and her son Shaun, ably assisted by Mark Parker, the club as a whole has flourished and are a formidable force for any Premiership side to compete against. With the 'family' club ethic and attacking mode of play, together with rock solid defence, the future looks bright for the oldest club in the league.

Sadly, three of the original 'lads' are no longer with us. Gordon Blatchford, Neil Gardiner and Robbie Bowden were three stalwards of the club and are greatly missed by all who knew them and are involved with Rangers today. Neil in particular, as Manager, having been so crucial in building a base to enable the club to progress to it's present high standard and become champions of the league.

Over the years Rangers have also picked up three sportsmanship awards and a number of Best Assistant Referees awards. Club Secretary, Vivienne Gardiner collected the Gordon Blatchford Shield for services to the league in 2004. The same award was won by Viv's late husband Neil in 1993.