Page 3 - Raynes Park Vale vs Redhill 29.01.22

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 - Well, losing is all part of the footballing experi-
Raynes Park FC RAYNES PARK VALE FC ence and every team does it but, it has to be said,
the FA Vase loss to Stansfeld hurt. It's not meant
Grand Drive
Raynes Park FC used to be based at as any disrespect to Stansfeld who brought their
Taunton Avenue, SW20 at the Raynes Raynes Park fans and their game to Grand Drive with the in- Enzo
Park Recreation Group until the 1995/96 Greater London tention of winning in any way that they could
merger. Raynes Park FC was originally SW20 9DZ and proved, as if it needed proving in this sport,
the Southern Railways Football Section that, it's what you do on the pitch, on the day that
(formed 1928) and were known as STAFF DIRECTORY matters and track records count for nothing. Stansfeld brought a great
Southern Railway until they changed Chairman: John Dalton crowd and really made the day a memorable occasion. A gate of over
name to Raynes Park FC in 1964. The Secretary: Paul Armour four hundred showed what an important match this was and the vis-
Southern Railway Team was a victim of Treasurer: Simon Maynard itors knew that, on the day, all teams are vulnerable to determination
the notorious 1963 Beeching spending General Manager: Marc Skinner
cuts, a national review into modernising Manager: Josh Gallagher and spirit and so it was for The Vale. None of which takes anything
the UK's railways. Southern Railways Programme Editor: Mark Ferrari away from the Stansfeld game plan or makes our performance any
1950's home kit was Gold and Green worse but it's definitely the case that a lesson was taught last week and
quarters, the company colours. Raynes TODAY'S COVER it was, unfortunately, Raynes Park doing the learning.
Park FC home shirt colours were Red Brad Sweeney, Reece Williams-Bowers, 'Bouncebackability'
and Black stripes (similar to AC Milan). Neşet Can Bellikli Here at Grand Drive, we are no strangers to spirited team performanc-
Another home kit was light blue shirts es and, like all great teams in any league, the team and management
and white shorts. Raynes Park FC ran
five senior teams on Saturdays. The 1st put the disappointment of the cup loss behind them, and turned their
and 2nd XI's played in the Surrey Premier attention to old rivals Guildford City in the CCL at The Spectrum
League. The 3rd team played in the and came away with three points, three goals and a clean sheet. And
Surrey South Eastern Combination while THAT'S what being a team is about. 'Bouncebackability' was famously
the 4ths and 5ths played in the Kingston coined by Ian Dowie during his tenure at Selhurst
and District League. They also ran an Park in the 2003/4 season and while the man took
over 35's team and youth teams aged 14 the ribbing from football fans with typical good
to 18. humour it became part of the football lan-
guage to describe that ability to put diffi-
Source: Former RPV FC President, Robert culties behind you and still aim for the
Hallett Senior, who was instrumental in top. That is where RPV find them-
the formation of both the Rayes Park and selves now.
Raynes Park Vale football clubs.
Continued...