Not much happened for 85 years, but look at Peterborough Sports now!

Now, after five promotions, they are a top side in the Southern League Premier Division Central and on Saturday (February 6) they face the biggest game in their history, an FA Trophy last 16 tie at National League South side Oxford City.

Former club chairman and current keeper-of-the-records Stephen ‘Tommy’ Cooper has helped the Peterborough Telegraph chart the club’s incredible progress.

Cooper said: “Peterborough Sports started off competitive life as Brotherhoods FC in the Northants League in 1919 (which became the UCL in 1934) winning the title in that first season before joining the Peterborough League in 1923.

“Unfortunately that was as good as it got in the 20th century for the club who added just a few minor trophies to that tally for the next 85 years .

“The path to the current levels of success started in the 2006/07 season when both the Peterborough Premier Division and Northants Junior Cup were secured for the first time in the club’s history under the management of Al Lenihan & Tommy Flynn.

“But rather than this acting as a springboard, it was seen somewhat as the pinnacle. The club were relegated just two years later and almost went out of existence.

“It was only the efforts of current life president Colin Day (who has been at Sports for more than half a century), secretary Roger Martin & manager Chris Bartlett that kept the club running.

“After a lowly 10th place finish in the first year in Division One, the club’s fortunes improved in 2011 when they were promoted back to the Peterborough League Premier Division and lifed the PFA Challenge Cup.

“Chris Bartlett was replaced as manager by Seamus Morgan for the 2012/13 season and the former Peterborough Northern Star Reserves manager steered the club into the United Counties League.

“We had been involved in a thrilling three-way race for the title, but ultimately were undone by losing home & away to champions Moulton Harrox. Fortune smiled down on us however when Netherton United, having applied to go up, turned down their promotion having finished in second spot. We gratefully accepted the promotion.

“A disappointing first season in the UCL saw former Posh defender Chris Plummer replace Morgan and the club started to make small steps forward. We finished 16th in our first season and then fifth the following season when we also made our first appearance in the FA Vase.”

Cooper didn’t know it, but his appointment of Jimmy Dean as assistant manager to Plummer in 2015 was to have an incredible impact.

A golden period for Peterborough Sports was about to kick off.

(The second part of this feature will be on www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk tomorrow, February 2).