Page 11 - Raynes Park Vale v Walton & Hersham

Barren years followed, with the club League Division One. The Surrey
several times being close to extinc- Senior Cup Final was reached for
tion. In the mid 1980’s the club was the first time in 31 years, the Swans
proud to have Sir Stanley Matthews only losing a thrilling game against
as President, but sides flattered to AFC Wimbledon 2-1 after extra-time
deceive and only a draw in the final before close to 4,000 people at Wok-
game of the 1986-87 season prevented ing. After a creditable first season
relegation to Division Two. back in the Premier Division a poor
Promotion start to 2006-07 led to Dowson’s early
After 20 years out of the top-flight, resignation and eventual relegation yet
a young side under Neil Price at last again. Since then Swans remained in
gained promotion in 1993-94, and Division One, facing relegation fights
the following season the First Round on several occasions, until 2015-16,
Proper of the FA Cup was again when a third from bottom finish final-
reached, Swansea City winning 2-0 at ly saw them go down.ending a 45 year
the Lane. However Swans’ Centenary unbroken stay in the Isthmian League.
celebrations were spoilt by relegation At the end of September 2017 Swans Do you have any photos or memories to
after only two seasons back in the were forced to leave their home of 8 share of the Southern Railways, Raynes
Premier. Under the management of decades, Stompond Lane, when it was Park, Malden Vale or Raynes Park Vale
Laurie Craker the team ensured the sold for development, the club mov- teams. Please contact us via the Raynes
stay in Division One was as brief as ing to a new home at a purpouse-built Park Vale Twitter page Corinthian Casuals v Malden Vale '91
possible, promotion being gained on Sports Hub in Waterside Drive. After
the last day of the campaign. After two good seasons in the Combined Click on the covers opposite to
a creditable first season back in the Counties League Premier Division, view the old programmes
Premier Division it again proved to be when they finished in fifth and fourth
a struggle to remain there, and at the places, a poor 2018-19 led to a bottom
end of the 1999-2000 season Swans place finish and relegation to Division
finished in bottom spot and relega- One.
tion again became a reality. Swans
had to wait until the 2004-05 season
before more success came to Stom-
pond Lane after long-serving player
Alan Dowson took over as manager in
October. After defeat in his first match
in charge, Dowson led the team to a
record breaking 13 match winning
sequence, fine runs in the FA Trophy
and League Cup, and promotion as
runners-up in the Ryman Hemel Hempstead v Malden Vale '94