Page 14 - Raynes Park Vale vs Fleet Town
P. 14
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FLEET TOWN
Fleet Town FC was formed
in 1890, making it the oldest
sports club in the town. The winning promotion under Player/ semi-final they lost 2-1 to Tooting
centenary was celebrated in manager, Steve Beeks. & Mitcham, with the London side
1990 with a special Scroll pre- Played at AFC Bournemouth scoring twice in added-on time. The
sented by the Football Associ- Playing in the Ryman League the team also reached the final of the
ation to the club, together with 2005/06 season began with a new Hampshire County Cup, losing 2-1
a commemorative plaque from management team of ex-England to Aldershot, the game played at
the Hampshire FA. International Andy Sinton assisted AFC Bournemouth.
Clem Attlee played for the club by Steve Mellor. In their second Havant & Waterlooville
In its early years Fleet FC played Town Council, with the proviso that season together this new team saw For season 2007-08 the Club were
at the bottom of the Views where it would continue to be for the use their side top the table at Christ- moved by the FA to the BGB South-
Campbells Close is today. Later of the Town’s football club. mas before they finally finished in ern League, South & West Division,
they moved to Watsons Meadow in Floodlights were installed 5th place. In a pulsating play-off and again had a record breaking
Fleet Road, roughly opposite where In 1953 floodlights were installed semi-final they lost 2-1 to Tooting season. Right up until the last few
Travis & Perkins now stands, at the for the first time. The club entered & Mitcham, with the London side games they were in with a chance of
station end of Fleet Road. It was the Hampshire League in 1961. scoring twice in added-on time. The automatic promotion but eventu-
during this time that a young, future From then on Fleet Town FC grad- team also reached the final of the ally had to accept 2nd spot behind
Prime Minister, Clement Attlee ually moved through the Divisions, Hampshire County Cup, losing 2-1 Farnborough. This however was
played for the club, his aunt living eventually moving into the Wessex to Aldershot, the game played at their highest ever non-league finish
in a house that backed onto this League for the 1989/90 season. AFC Bournemouth. and again played in front of record
original ground. Winning promotion Ex-England International crowds. It was heartbreak in the
Moved to its new home After six years of steady progress, Playing in the Ryman League the play-offs though as the team again
In 1923 Lord Calthorpe of Elvetham the club gained promotion to the 2005/06 season began with a new lost in the semi-final, this time to an
Hall made available the site of the Southern League as Wessex League management team of ex-England injury time penalty that gave Ux-
present ground in Crookham Road, Champions. In 1999/00, its fifth International Andy Sinton assisted bridge a 2-1 victory. Fleet also went
and the club moved to its new season in the Dr Martens Southern by Steve Mellor. In their second their furthest in the FA Cup before
home playing their first match on League the club finished bottom season together this new team saw losing 2-1 at Havant & Waterlooville
3rd March 1923. The ground was and returned to the Wessex League. their side top the table at Christ- in the 3rd Qualifying Round.
subsequently bequeathed to the Within a few seasons the club mas before they finally finished in
District Council and later the Fleet returned to the Southern League, 5th place. In a pulsating play-off Continued...
