The club was established on 7 October 1885.[2] In 1896 they became founder members of the Dorset League.[3] However, after finishing bottom of the league in 1897–98 the club left the league.[3] They subsequently returned in 1906–07, but left after finishing bottom again.[3] The club went on to play in the South Dorset and West Dorset leagues, before joining the Perry Street & District League.[2] They were league champions in 1912–13, 1922–23 and 1931–32.
In 1957 Bridport were founder members of the Dorset Combination.[4] They won the League Cup in the league's inaugural season, beating 15th RASC in the final, and retained the trophy the following season, defeating the same opponents.[5] The club were league runners-up in 1959–60, and after finishing as runners-up the following season (also losing in the League Cup final to Dorchester Town reserves),[5] they moved up to the Western League.[4] The club won the league's Challenge Cup in 1970–71 and again in 1972–73.[6] When the Western League gained a second division in 1976, Bridport were placed in the Premier Division.[4] They won the Challenge Cup for a third time in 1977–78,[6] and the Dorset Senior Cup in 1980–81.[7]
Midway through the 1983–84 season Bridport resigned from the Western League, with the reserves (playing in the Dorset Combination) becoming the first team.[4] They were Dorset Combination champions in 1985–86, and after retaining the league title and winning the League Cup for the next two seasons,[5] as well as winning the Dorset Senior Cup in 1987–88,[8] the club were promoted to Division One of the Western League. In 1993–94 they were Division One runners-up, earning promotion to the Premier Division.[4] The club were relegated back to Division One at the end of the 2004–05 season, although they did win the Dorset Senior Cup again.[8] They were promoted to the Premier Division in 2010–11 after finishing third in Division One.[4] In 2021–22 the club were relegated to the Premier Division East of the South West Peninsula League, picking up just four points by early April.[9]
Ground
St Mary's Field
After playing at several different grounds, in 1930 the club moved to Crown Field on West Bay Road.[1] They remained at Crown Field until 1953, when the club relocated to St Mary's Field, bringing with them a 200-seat wooden stand which was placed on one side of the pitch. A covered stand was erected on the other side of the pitch during the 1960s. The wooden stand was later replaced with a new 180-seat stand, with the covered stand also replaced with a more modern structure.[1] A clubhouse known as 'the Beehive' is situated behind one goal.[1]
Floodlights were installed in 1990 and inaugurated with a match against Yeovil Town on 8 August, with Bridport winning 4–3.[1]
Honours
Western League
League Cup winners 1970–71, 1972–73, 1977–78
Dorset Combination
Champions 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88
League Cup winners 1957–58, 1958–59, 1986–87, 1987–88
