Ilfracombe Football Club was formed in November1902 and played local opposition until the formation of the North Devon League in 1904, in which Combe became one of the founder members.
The present name of Ilfracombe Town was adopted in 1920. In 1922/23 the club contested the East Devon League, remaining there for many years, alongside present day Western League side Torrington.
The present ground of Marlborough Park was acquired in 1923 and laid out for competitive football in 1924/25 season. In 1949 Western League football was applied for and the club was admitted entry in division 3 for the season 1949/50, winning promotion as runner up at the end of that year.
During the 52/53 season the club finest FA cup run was experienced being the only division2 side to reach the 4th qualifying round where Llanelli was the venue and the result was a 1-0 in favour of the Welshman in front of an 8,500 gate.
Promotion to division 1 was also achieved at the end of the 52/53 season, but after 2 years relegation was followed by poor results and poor support ultimately resulting in withdrawal from the league at the close of 58/59 season.
During the 60’s and 70’s North Devon football was again contested and during the early 80’s after some very encouraging seasons it was decide to re-apply for Western League football and re-entry was excepted for the 1984/85 season.
Since joining the Western League the club has been in division 1 throughout the best season was 1989/90 when the club finished in 3rd place. The reserve team continue to play in the North Devon league, also there is a strong youth set-up with various sides playing from under 9 through to under 16 and we hope that some of these players will grace the 1st team and reserves in years to come.
