Highgate United FC

The club was established in 1948 by a group of former residents of the St Vincent’s Home for Working Boys, run by Father Hudson’s Society.[1] They initially joined the South Birmingham League before moving up to Division Two of the Worcestershire Combination in 1964.[1][2] After finishing fourth in their first season in Division Two, the club were promoted to Division One.[2][3]

In 1966–67 the club reached the quarter-finals of the FA Amateur Cup. During the match against Enfield, several players collapsed after a lightning strike, and Highgate’s Tony Allden died the following day. The game was abandoned and replayed at Villa Park, where a crowd of over 31,000 watched Enfield win 6–0.[1][3]

The 1970s was the most successful era in Highgate United’s history; in 1972–73 the club were champions of the renamed Midland Combination, also winning the League Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the FA Amateur Cup, losing 4–0 in a replay to Walton & Hersham at Selhurst Park after the first match at Highfield Road had ended 0–0.[1][3] They retained the league title and the League Cup the following season, also winning the Birmingham Senior Cup with a 3–2 win over Darlaston. The club won a third consecutive Midland Combination title in 1974–75 and went on to win the League Cup in 1975–76 and 1976–77.[1]

Highgate were Division One runners-up in 1981–82 and League Cup winners in 1984–85.[3][1] They finished bottom of the (renamed) Premier Division in 1994–95, but avoided being relegated as the division was expanded from 18 to 20 clubs. The club won the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup win 2006–07,[1] and were Premier Division runners-up the following season, earning promotion to the Midland Alliance.[3]

In 2014 the Midland Combination and Midland League merged to form the Midland League; despite finishing third in the Alliance the previous season, Highgate were placed in Division One of the new league, a level below their previous position. However, they went on to win Division One in the Midland League’s inaugural season and were promoted to the Premier Division.[3] In 2023–24 they finished fifth in the Premier Division, qualifying for the promotion play-offs, in which they lost 3–1 to Lichfield City in the semi-finals.

Recently years, Highgate United have struggled to stay in the Midland Football League Premier Division, where in 2024/25, they were relegated in the last game of the season, but reprieved due to a Ground Grading failure of another club in the division. In 2025/26, the club ended in relegation for the 2nd straight year, being relegated on goal difference (2), on the last game of the season, after going into the game 3 points ahead with 4 goals to the good.

Reprieved for the 2nd year running, 2026/27 season will see Highgate United start their season in the United Counties League Premier South after a lateral movement from the Midland Football League Premier Division.

Programme: ‘The Gate’ – Electronic Programme produced by Paul Hasker (Media Manager)

Directions: Leave M42 Junction 4, & head towards Birmingham (A34) Stratford Road. At the 2nd island, Take 1st exit approx 1.5 mile at Costa Coffee island onto Dog Kennel Lane. At the next island take the 1st exit onto Tanworth Lane, then 200 yards at the next island take the 2nd exit onto Dickens heath Lane, with Miller & Carter Restaurant on your left then. At the next island take the 2nd exit continuing on Dickens heath Lane, then immediate after 100 yards turn right onto Tythe Barn Lane. Follow the road around the estate, & when you leave Dickens Heath Village, over some speed humps & chicane’s then the ground will be on the left, just before Wychall Wanderers FC (B90 1PH).