Page 3 - Raynes Park Vale vs Cobham

CLUB HISTORY
Raynes Park Vale FC was formed in 1995
following the merger of Raynes Park and
Malden Vale (formed 1967).
CHAIRMAN'S NOTES

1928 to 1995

Southern Railway Football Section - Last weekend Raynes Park Vale travelled
Raynes Park FC RAYNES PARK VALE FC the furthest we had been since the club was
formed when the team flew to St. Helier in
Raynes Park FC used to be based at Grand Drive Jersey to play the Jersey Bulls.
Taunton Avenue, SW20 at the Raynes Raynes Park This is serious football territory Enzo
Park Recreation Group until the 1995/96 Greater London
merger. Raynes Park FC was originally SW20 9DZ Elsewhere in this edition of Into The Vale you
the Southern Railways Football Section can read a full match report from the game
(formed 1928) and were known as STAFF DIRECTORY so I won’t dwell on the sporting details here
Southern Railway until they changed Chairman: John Dalton but the trip did highlight the nature of what gets termed ‘non-
name to Raynes Park FC in 1964. The Secretary: Paul Armour league’ football in this country. The term always conjours up
Southern Railway Team was a victim of Treasurer: Simon Maynard images of football from the Sunday League and amateur wings
the notorious 1963 Beeching spending General Manager: Marc Skinner of the game. Of course, Sunday League is a great tradition and
cuts, a national review into modernising one of which many thousands of us have been or are a part of.
the UK's railways. Southern Railways Manager: Josh Gallagher Right here at Grand Drive on any weekend, dozens of matches
1950's home kit was Gold and Green Programme Editor: Mark Ferrari demonstrate the commitment to the sport from people of all
quarters, the company colours. Raynes ages, genders and cultures as they keep football alive at the real
Park FC home shirt colours were Red TODAY'S COVER grass-roots level, but the CCL is a rather different prospect. It
and Black stripes (similar to AC Milan). Reece Williams-Bowers
Another home kit was light blue shirts doesn’t take long in this league before one thing becomes evi-
and white shorts. Raynes Park FC ran dent - this is serious football territory. Sure, Raynes Park Vale
five senior teams on Saturdays. The 1st are not likely to be bothering the Galacticos at the Real Madrid
and 2nd XI's played in the Surrey Premier any time soon any more than Bayern will be sending spotters to
League. The 3rd team played in the check on the Jersey Bulls, but there’s no denying that there is
Surrey South Eastern Combination while commitment in this league that sets it and other leagues like it
the 4ths and 5ths played in the Kingston apart from the fine tradition of weekend foot-
and District League. They also ran an ball. Clubs like Jersey Bulls have financial
over 35's team and youth teams aged 14 clout, reliable support and great facilities
to 18. and, most importantly, they have ambi-
tion. All of this was evident during the
Source: Former RPV FC President, Robert trip to the Channel Islands as it is
Hallett Senior, who was instrumental in every time RPV travel.
the formation of both the Rayes Park
and Raynes Park Vale football clubs. Continued...