The beginning of the 1990’s saw the Tavs first team midway through a fine promotion season from Division 3 of the then named ‘Little David Petroleum’ Sunday Morning league, a run of five unbeaten matches at the end of the season ensuring third spot.

The impetus was maintained the following season and we finished in third place in Division 2 to gain promotion to the 1st Division (now Premier) for the first time in the Club’s history - fittingly, perhaps, in time for our Silver Jubilee season.

1990/91 also saw the records fall….the senior side’s defensive record of only 23 ‘goals against’ in 22 games established a new record, comfortably beating the 28 conceded in 1970/71 and 1985/86. The points total of 30 was the highest ever achieved by the first team while, in scoring 20 goals for the team (in only 18 outings), Gary Cunningham netted the highest individual tally for the first team since 1978/79, when Mick Flude scored 26 goals in Division 5.

Despite a gallant battle, the first team were unable to hang onto their top division status and this began a series of ‘yo-yo’ seasons as the Tavs bounced between Division 1 (later the Premier Division) and Division 2. Promotions in 1994, 1998 and 2000 were virtually matched by relegations in 1996 and 1999.

The high-point for the first team was the Division 2 Championship win in the 1993/94 season which saw so many Club records beaten. Only 20 goals were conceded in the league (bettering 1990/91’s 23), this representing the best defensive record in the whole Sunday Morning League….we enjoyed a Club record run of 18 games unbeaten….our away record was 10 wins and a draw from 11 outings…..this being the first time the Tavs had finished unbeaten home or away….and our points total of 56 was the highest in the League.

Mementoes were presented to the following players (appearances in brackets): James Bullamore (25), Mark Moore (25), Robert Parker (25), Andy Glover (24), Tim Howard (24), Andy Spivey (joint manager) (24), Trevor Hedges (23), Paul Ryan (22), Kevin Oxborrow (19), Paul Oakshott (13), Toby Cousins (11), Trevor Hollinsworth (19), Ian May (9), Pat Elvin (8) and Ray Sherman (7).

Pressures of work and travel from home to Ipswich on Club business led Clive Bloom to hand over the reserve team reins to Steve Godden after seven years of achievement and Clive joined founder member John Steward as a Co-President of the Club in 1990.

Steve’s aim of consolidating in Division 5 was exceeded straight away and he was celebrating promotion to Division 4 in 1991. This was the reserve team’s high-point in terms of League performances as they spent the rest of the decade battling in Divisions 5 and 6.

However, Steve took the side to their first Reserve Cup final in 1993 (where they lost 4-0 to Walberswick reserves) and he was at the forefront in supporting his managerial successor Gary Cunningham as he masterminded the Tavs first Reserve Cup Final victory in 1995.

A thrilling 2-0 win was achieved against Hintlesham United reserves at Woodbridge Town’s ground, the Taverners team being Tony Thomas, Stuart Godden, Pat Elvin, Warren Page, Bevan Burgess, James Bullamore, Neil Bennett, Andy Philpot, Toby Cousins, Shane Murrell, Gary Cunningham (Sub: Matt Morling). The Taverners goals were scored by Shane Murrell and Matt Morling and the team was captained by Bevan Burgess.

The early 90s saw Trevor Hedges play his 300th game for the Tavs while Martyn O’Leary reached 250 and Tim Howard 200.

The 1992/93 season saw Pat Elvin play his 500th game for the Club and he was presented with a trophy and a celebration booklet by Ipswich Town’s John Wark on behalf of the Tavs. A year before, in playing in Division 1, Pat had established the record of having played in eleven divisions of the Sunday Morning League for the same club and can also add one division of the Gippeswyk League, all, of course, with the Tavs!

In 1993, Gary Cunningham played his 200th game for the Club while Terry Pilbro made his 300th appearance. It was, however, sad that one of the first team’s final games of the season saw Terry suffer a serious knee injury which ended his footballing action abruptly.

A year later, Neil Bennett reached the 200-game milestone only to break his wrist early in the game concerned!

Season 1994/95 saw Daren Stevens and Bevan Burgess both play their 200th games for Taverners and in 1996/97 Colin Dawson made his 300th appearances. Ahead of them all, Pat Elvin made it to 600 appearances.

In 1998/99 Gary Cunningham made his 300th appearance for Taverners, while Tim Howard and Trevor Hedges both played their 400th games. To mark their achievement, a game between a ‘Hedges Xl’ and a ‘Howard Xl’ was played at Ipswich Wanderers’ ground.

Several milestones were reached during the 1999/2000 season. Daren Stevens, Andy Spivey, Bevan Burgess and Andy Glover each played their 300th games while Matt Parker made it to 200.

The season also saw Trevor Hollinsworth score his 100th goal for the Club - a tally reached in only 111 appearances. Trevor’s haul included two seasons’ totals of over 20 goals - 23 in 1994/95 season and 27 in 1997/98.

Meanwhile Gary Cunningham overhauled Pat Elvin as the Club’s top all-time goalscorer with his 172nd goal for the Tavs.

Pat had turned his hand to the role of player-manager of the reserves and he was succeeded - for the last two years of the 1990s - by Neil Bennett.

Taverners were also successful in small-sided competitions. The Barnston 5-a-side tournament was won both in 1993 and 1994 while the Trimley competition was won in 1996.

The first team had been using Crane Sports Club as ‘home’ for many years and the reserves had followed in the mid-nineties. We were, therefore, stunned a few days before the beginning of the 1998/99 campaign by the news - learned through the local press - that Ipswich Town had taken over the Cranes ground and both our teams were homeless as a result.

After the initial shock - which was considerable and was felt throughout local football - everyone pulled together and the Tavs had the good fortune to ‘fall on their feet’ and obtain pitches at the Guardian (now Greshams) Sports Club. Fresh training facilities also had to be sought and Copleston Sports Centre became our venue in midweeks.

The club was most fortunate to enjoy sponsorship from the County Hotel and Beestons Coaches followed by several years of support from Trevor Hollinsworth during the later years of the decade. Trevor’s backing continued into the new century.

This financial backing enabled the Club to renew its kits regularly - red & black, jade & black stripes, black & white, ‘Brazil.‘ and navy/sky quarters were on display.