Page 31 - v. Corinthian-Casuals

ithin this ten-day period, the Surrey membership of the London-Spartan Football
WCounty Football Association sug- League after having been accepted alleviated
gested the name of the Corinthian Football some of the wear and tear on the League’s of-
League, but this was frowned upon by the ficers, who had been battling for the League’s
Athenian Football League within which the survival. The Chessington United decision
old Corinthian Football League was incor- was followed by two more enquiries, both
porated. The alternative suggestion which from outside Surrey, from clubs considering
found general approval was the Combined applying for the following season.
Counties Football League, and this was final-
ly adopted. igher Petrol costs and, therefore, dear-
Her travel, persuaded more clubs to fol-
The Combined Counties League was formal- low the lead of Virginia Water, to compete
ly adopted as the title of the league for the in a more regionalised League. 1980-1981
brought Cranleigh, Farnham Town, Ling-
start of the 1979-1980 season. field and Wrecclesham with Alton Town,
ince 1978, the annual, and increasing, Chobham, Cove and Frimley Green joining
the following season. Only two Clubs had
Sloss of clubs to other Leagues was finally departed in this time; Lions Sports, whose
arrested, much to the relief of the officers. senior teams folded due to company policy,
From the initial nine founder-member clubs, and Lingfield who were somewhat isolated
the Premier Division grew in the first year to geographically. By 1983, membership
eleven

The Camberley & Yorktown team of 1904–05, one of the founders of the Surrey Senior League.Wiki
with Hartley Wintney and Yateley. The fol- membership of the League stabilised with
lowing season brought Godalming & Farn- between sixteen and eighteen clubs, and ide-
combe United, now Godalming Town, and ally, each club was to eventually reach the
for a time Godalming & Guildford, from playing strength and facilities required to
the Surrey County Intermediate Football compete in the Football Association Chal-
League (Western Division) and possibly lenge Vase competition.
more importantly, Virginia Water from the From the commencement of the 1984-1985
London-Spartan Football League, to help season, the League, together with three oth-
provide a stronger competition. The return of er senior Leagues in the Home Counties,
Virginia Water and the decision of Chessing- formed the lower rung of the Isthmian Pyr-
ton United not to pursue an application for (Continued on the next page)