Page 3 - RPVFC v Erith & Belvedere

CLUB HISTORY Chairman's Notes

START OF THE SEASON
Raynes Park Vale FC was formed in
1995 following the merger of Raynes
Park and Malden Vale (formed 1967).
hat a week to be a football here at Raynes
Raynes Park FC used to be based Wfan in this country!! Park Vale, as
at Taunton Avenue, SW20 at the we look to the
Raynes Park Recreation Group until On Sunday, in front of a record future of this
the 1995/96 merger. Raynes Park FC audience, England’s footballing great club,
was originally the Southern Railways Grand Drive women acheived what Gareth inclusivity is
Football Section (formed 1928) and Raynes Park Southgate’s men couldn’t. . They core to our philosophy and girls’

were known as Southern Railway until Greater London
brought the European Cup back and women’s teams are being
they changed name to Raynes Park SW20 9DZ
to England. At Wembley. planned as part of that future.
FC in 1964. The Southern Railway Real football fans For now, may I, on behalf of
Team was a victim of the notorious STAFF DIRECTORY The detractors, the critics, the Raynes Park Vale Football Club,
1963 Beeching spending cuts, a Chairman: John Dalton
national review into modernising snowflakes had their moan about offer our congratulations and
Secretary: Paul Armour the women’s game, just as they thanks to The Lionesses for
the UK's railways. Southern Railways
General Manager: Marc Skinner
1950's home kit was Gold and Green had their moan about England’s bringing football home!
Operations Manager: Helen Dalton
quarters, the company colours. men taking a stand against racism Yes, it’s the FA Cup!!
Team Manager: Josh Gallagher
Raynes Park FC home shirt colours in the game and, indeed, con- So...why else should fans be hap-
Programme Editor: Mark Ferrari
were Red and Black stripes (similar demned them for doing so. But py here?? Simple. Today we watch
to AC Milan). Another home kit was the rest of us - real football fans the start of the greatest national
TODAY'S PROGRAMME COVER
light blue shirts and white shorts. - saw what happened and wit- football competition in the world.
Raynes Park FC ran five senior teams Raynes Park Vale v Dorking Wanderers B nessed a brilliant England perfor- Yes, it’s the FA Cup!! It’s early
on Saturdays. The 1st and 2nd
mance against a well-organised, days - the earliest day, in fact - but
XI's played in the Surrey Premier
disciplined and talented German for every fan in England this is
League. The 3rd team played
team. And win. the contest that counts. This is
in the Surrey South Eastern
Bringing football home! the one that every club dreams of,
Combination while the 4ths and
I wasn’t lucky enough to be at where the chance for teams like
5ths played in the Kingston and
Wembley on Sunday but through RPV to shine on the national stage
District League. They also ran an
open windows and out of pubs brings a touch of romance to the
over 35's team and youth teams
aged 14 to 18. and clubs came the roar of a weekly grind of league football.
country of football fans support- Here at RPV we are not naive.
Source: Former RPV FC President, ing and celebrating our national We’re not fantasists. We have
Robert Hallett Senior, who was team bringing football home! realistic expectations. But, as I
instrumental in the formation of both Yes, it’s true, women’s and girls’ have said before so many times,
the Rayes Park and Raynes Park Vale
football isn’t supported enough at we have belief. We have the
football clubs.
grassroots and, rest assured, that, belief that, on the day, any ...

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