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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. Higher Petrol costs and, therefore, dearer
travel, persuaded more clubs to follow the
The Combined Counties League was formal- lead of Virginia Water, to compete in a more
ly adopted as the title of the league for the regionalised League. 1980-1981 brought
start of the 1979-1980 season. Cranleigh, Farnham Town, Lingfield and
Wrecclesham with Alton Town, Chobham,
Since 1978, the annual, and increasing, loss Cove and Frimley Green joining the follow-
of clubs to other Leagues was finally arrested, ing season. Only two Clubs had departed in
much to the relief of the officers. From the this time; Lions Sports, whose senior teams
initial nine founder-member clubs, the Pre- folded due to company policy, and Lingfield
who were somewhat isolated geographically.
mier Division grew in the first year to eleven By 1983, membership

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 the playing strength and facilities required to
Surrey County Intermediate Football League compete in the Football Association Chal-
(Western Division) and possibly more impor- lenge Vase competition.
tantly, Virginia Water from the London-Spar- From the commencement of the 1984-1985
tan Football League, to help provide a strong- season, the League, together with three oth-
er competition. The return of Virginia Water er senior Leagues in the Home Counties,
and the decision of Chessington United not formed the lower rung of the Isthmian Pyr-
to pursue an application for (Continued on the next page)