Page 20 - Raynes Park Vale vs Sheerwater FA Vase

COMbiNED COuNTiES fOOTball lEaguE

he Combined Counties League can
Ttrace its existence back to 1922 when
the Surrey Senior League was formed. The
present title was not adopted until 1979. The
first champions in 1922–23 were Egham,
with Carshalton Athletic as runners-up.
Farnham United Breweries were champi-
ons twice and runners-up twice to Epsom
Town between 1923–27. Camberley & York-
town were the first club to record a hat-trick
of championship wins between 1930–33.
The Second World War brought the Surrey
Senior League to a close between 1939–46. League championship at least once. In 1968–
Farnham United Breweries were champions 69 a second division was formed which was
twice and runners-up twice to Epsom Town known as Division one, with the original
between 1923–27. Camberley & Yorktown league becoming the Premier Division. As
were the first club to record a hat-trick of the majority of clubs forming Division one
championship wins between 1930–33. The were junior sides there was no automatic
Second World War brought the Surrey Sen- promotion and relegation between the divi-
ior League to a close between 1939–46. Af- sions. After three seasons Division one was
ter the war newcomers to league in 1946–47 disbanded and the league continued as be-
included Chertsey Town, Devas Institute, fore.
Lagonda Sports, who after several name Early in the 1970’s Farnham Town and
changes became Petters Sports, Leatherhead Farnborough Town joined the Spartan
and Worcester Park. Leatherhead took the League. In an attempt to attract clubs from
league by storm winning the championship outside the county, the Surrey Senior League
four times between 1946–50. After finishing was renamed the Home Counties League in
second in 1949–50 Banstead Athletic took 1978–79. However there were objections to
over the role as most consistent club. They the new title and the current title, Combined
were champions for the next four seasons Counties League was adopted for the 1979–
and never finished lower than second be- 80 season.
tween 1949–59. In 1981–82 the league was split into East
In the 1960s a number of sides switched to and West sections, with Ash United beating
the Spartan League they included Molesey, Malden Town in the play-off. Since 1982
Chertsey Town, Addlestone, Hampton, Ban- the league has reverted back to one division.
stead Athletic and Feltham. Most of these The Combined Counties league reached an
clubs had previously won the Surrey Senior agreement to become a feeder league for the