Scarborough

Formation

Following the liquidation of Scarborough, Scarborough Athletic was founded as a continuation or rebirth of the previous club by a supporters' trust named The Seadog Trust. They took on the same red kit, nickname, motto and official club logo from the original club. The Trust successfully applied for membership of the North Riding County Football Association and the Northern Counties East League on 25 June 2007. Due to the unavailability of any suitable grounds in the town, a ground-sharing agreement was made with Bridlington Town. On 29 June the club appointed former North Ferriby United manager Brian France as their first manager, who brought with him many former Ferriby players.

The NCEL Division One years

For their debut season, the club entered the Northern Counties East League Division One (NCEL1). The club's first-ever game was a friendly against Edgehill FC on 15 July 2007. The game ended in a goalless draw and was played in Hunmanby, North Yorkshire. Three days later, 20-year-old Shaun Chadburn gained the distinction of scoring the first-ever goal for the new club in a 2–2 draw at Northallerton Town. Their first competitive game, a NCEL1 fixture, was away to Teversal on 11 August 2007. The game ended in a 2–1 defeat in front of 427 fans and saw David Thompson score Scarborough Athletic's first-ever league goal.

The new club had mixed results early in the season, but on 24 October it was announced the club was to face a 6-point deduction and a £300 fine for fielding ineligible players earlier in the season. This decision was later upheld by the FA and so despite a run of six wins in eight matches, the club found themselves lying in 10th place in early January 2008. A strong end to the season saw the club finish with an unbeaten 12 match league run, securing a 5th-place finish.

After a slow start to the following season, gaining just one point from the opening two league games, Scarborough Athletic then embarked upon a club record 27 match unbeaten league run which saw them surge to the top of the table. On 8 November 2008, Ryan Blott scored a club record five goals in a league match at Yorkshire Amateur. By the end of February 2009 the club had moved into a commanding lead at the top of the NCEL1 table and on 21 March 2009, following a 2–1 victory at Teversal, they were guaranteed promotion to the Northern Counties East League Premier Division (NCELP). Three days later the club were confirmed as champions after a 3–0 win at home to Brighouse Town.

The NCEL1 trophy was presented to the team after the final home game of the season, against Leeds Carnegie, on 18 April 2008. A game that ensured they remained unbeaten at home in the league throughout the entire season. The club also reached the 2008–09 Northern Counties East League Presidents Cup final but lost 3–2 on aggregate to Nostell Miners Welfare after drawing the away leg 1–1 and losing the home leg 2–1. The 2008–09 season also saw Scarborough Athletic enter the FA Vase for the first time. They reached the 4th round, the furthest they would ever reach in the competition, before losing at Bideford.

The NCEL Premier Division years

The club once again had a slow start to the season, but a long winning streak followed, which took them to the top of the table by the end of September. A series of inconsistent results then followed, mainly away from home, and the club eventually finished the season in fifth place. In November a 'landlords vs tenants' match at Queensgate between Bridlington Town and Scarborough Athletic attracted a division record of 1,082 fans and in April, Athletic hit 13 goals without reply against relegated Brodsworth Welfare – a record for the club and division. This season also saw Scarborough Athletic enter the FA Cup for the first time, although they fell at the first hurdle, losing 2–1 at home to Guisborough Town in the extra-preliminary round.

In preparation for the 2010–11 season, Scarborough Athletic played their first ever game in Scarborough, a friendly against local league side Eastfield St. James. On 24 July Athletic beat Merthyr Town 2–0 to win the inaugural Supporters Direct Shield at the New Bucks Head home of AFC Telford United. The club recorded their first ever victory in the FA Cup after beating Ryton 1–0 in the extra-preliminary round on 14 August 2010. On 21 September, first team coach Paul Olsson was appointed acting manager to cover for Brian France who underwent a lengthy period of hospitalisation following a brain injury. On 19 November Olsson's managerial position was made permanent after it was revealed France would be unlikely to return before the end of his contract. League results were very inconsistent during the season, and on 31 March 2011 it was announced that Olsson had left the club by mutual consent and was replaced by former Teversal, Rainworth Miners Welfare and Shirebrook Town manager, Rudy Funk. The club finished the season in 10th place.

On the first day of the 2011–12 season Scarborough Athletic beat Parkgate at home 4–2 to register the club's first-ever opening day victory, followed by a 1–0 victory at Tadcaster Albion. The club's September was largely successful, with the exception of a disappointing 3–0 FA Cup exit to Tadcaster Albion. October was also successful in the league, but the club exited the FA Vase. A tough November saw Athletic pick up their first league draws of the season and their third defeat, but by the end of November, they were top of the table – a position which could be attributed to 12 wins from their opening 17 league fixtures. December, however, was hugely disappointing with just 1 point from 4 games. Results improved in the new year but by the end of March, Athletic found themselves too far behind the two clubs at the top of the table and, thus, out of promotion contention. On 14 April 2012 Ryan Blott hit 5 goals in a game for the 2nd time, this time against Armthorpe Welfare. A strong finish saw the club finally end the season in, a club best, 3rd position.