Basingstoke Town Football Club has appointed Jess Kempner as the club’s new historian as part of a project to document its past ahead of its 130th anniversary next season. Kempner, who holds a PhD in History Education from the University of Winchester and works as an assistant head and history teacher, officially took up the role on 30 April 2026.
The club, which is based at the Winklebury Football Complex, is calling on its supporters to help gather memories and experiences for this project. Fans can share their favourite moments from the history of Basingstoke Town Football Club by submitting them through an online form at btfc.co.uk/heritage.
Founded in 1896 following a merger of Aldworth United and Basingstoke Albion, the club has operated as a fan-owned, not-for-profit community benefits society since 2017. As the team currently competes in the Southern League Premier Division South, it has recently celebrated success on the pitch, securing its ninth Hampshire Senior Cup victory in April 2026 after defeating Sholing 2-0.
This initiative aims to celebrate the people and events that have shaped the community club over its long history. Kempner has already begun the process of collecting stories directly from supporters at recent matches.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
