Club History

Club History the Early Years 1894-1948.

ASHTEAD FOOTBALL CLUB was officially founded in September 1894.

In 1887, Sir Thomas Lucas, the local squire, lent the land in Woodfield Lane to Ashtead Cricket Club. In 1898 the newly formed Ashtead Football Club successfully negotiated with the cricket club to be allowed to play their home games on it's ground for an agreed rent, this arrangement continued for many years with the two clubs on good terms. In the May of 1902 the two clubs had a cricket match when “The Flannelled Fools” beat the “Muddied Oafs” and in 1910 held a joint supper. With the outbreak of the Great War (1911-1918) football activities were much curtailed but when peace came the club flourished once again after relocating to a pitch in Green lane. From 1921 the club played in the Sutton & District League premier and second divisions which continued, with varying degrees of success, up until World War II.

Club History 1948 to the present day

On reforming after the War, Ashtead FC again entered the Sutton & District League with two teams playing in the first and fourth divisions and later won promotion to the Surrey County Intermediate League (southern section) for the 1956-57 season.

Ashtead joined the newly formed Surrey County Senior League (1st division) in 1968, winning it at the first attempt without losing a single game. However in 1970 AFC was denied full senior status by both the County FA and the local authority which resulted in them rejoining the Surrey County Intermediate league this time in the Eastern section.

In 1976-77 after a number of poor seasons due to failure of obtaining senior status and the loss of key players to senior clubs, Ashtead applied to re-enter the Sutton & District League in division two. Ashtead also merged with Langley Vale's sunday team to form a sunday side and entered them into the Morden & District league and were later promoted to the premier division after winning the 2nd division title.

In 1978 the sunday team withdrew from the Morden & District league due to lack of players and later that year Ashtead FC merged with Ashtead Sports and entered two teams in the Leatherhead & district sunday league for the 1978-79 season which saw for the first time Ashtead fielding four teams.

In the 1979-80 season Ashtead entered the newly formed South Eastern Intermediate League and won promotion from the "C" division as runner's up in the first season the reserve team also finished as runner's up and won the reserve cup.

Ralph Gange takes on the job of club secretary.

1980-81 season sees Ashtead again win promotion as runners up and also win the premier B cup at Leatherhead's Fetcham Grove ground.

Ashtead Sports Association is founded to take on the responsibility of the club house and £2000 is spent on refurbishment including a new roof and showers.

In 1981 Ashtead win an award from Leatherhead sports council and gain a club sponsorship deal for the first time with local business Mole Valley Heating. Ashtead FC merge with Prism FC to play on Sundays as Ashtead Prism and the Saturday 1st team under the leadership of Terry Shires gain promotion to the 1st division they also win the Surrey Intermediate Premier challenge trophy at Leatherhead FC's ground with a single goal from Roger Grunsell.

With this success the club push forward and the spirit is at an all time high but unfortunately the Saturday first team are relegated the following season after the loss of key players to retirement and senior football. 1st team manager Terry Shires steps down and Keith Nagle takes over as player manager.

A period of rebuilding then takes place under the leadership of Tony Crosse and in his first season (1986-87) in charge of Ashtead's 1st team they win the Premier league cup at Dorking FC's ground. This proved to be the start point for a very successful period for the Saturday sides.

The Sunday side sponsored by Volkspeed Engineering playing in the Morden & District league won the Arnold Cup at Carshalton Athletics ground.

Talks began at this time to amalgamate with the boys club Pelham Ashtead and thus bring Youth football to the club.

1987-88 season produced another trophy this time it was the Surrey Intermediate Cup after beating Hersham FC in a replay, promotion the following year pushed Ashtead back into the  "A" section a good achievement both teams in the "A" section of their leagues. Promotion again the following season pushed the club into the Surrey Premier League.

1991 saw the setting up of Ashtead Football Development Group to promote the need for better facilities for the benefit of the football club.

Talks were still ongoing with Pelham Ashtead about a merger.

Season 93-94 sees the sad death of long time club member and Club President Dr Gilbert, Les Gage takes over as President.

Season 94-95 sees Ashtead 1st team reach the final of the Surrey Intermediate Cup but are beaten 5-4 after extra time at Chertsey FC's ground.

Terry Mann appointed as Chairman and at last the amalgamation with Pelham Ashtead is confirmed with the new Youth section called Ashtead Colts. Plans are drawn up for a new clubhouse with the estimated cost of £100,000.

The 1995-96 season starts well with Keith Nagle taking over for his second spell as 1st team manager and he builds on the previous seasons form to take them to two Cup Finals.

The 1997-98 starts with Gerry Collins back in charge of the 1st team with Geoff Douglass taking charge of the 2nd team but no honours are forthcoming although the 1st team were top of the league for some time. Plans for the new clubhouse are agreed and planning permission is obtained but unfortunately costs have increased to £200,000.

With Geoff Douglass in charge for his first full season 2000-2001 saw the return from injury of  veteran Mark Browning and the signing of Toby Smith a talented and dynamic midfielder, this proved to be the catalyst that Ashtead needed and after an unsteady start they finished the season strongly winning the League Challenge Cup and consolidating Division One status.

2001-02 saw Ashtead first team off to a flyer winning 15 straight games before Christmas and although things went slightly downhill from there they still managed to hang to runners up spot in the league.

2002 to the present day continued with at least two enthusiastic Saturday and one Sunday adult sides, although unfortunately without adding to the trophy cabinet.

However, the Colts section goes from strength to strength culminating in season 2009/10 with nearly 300 boys (and girls) playing in all age groups from under 8 to 16.

 Ashtead Football Club Roll of Honour