Page 40 - Raynes Park Vale vs Redhill 29.01.22

Combined Counties Football League reached an agreement to become a feed- of the Surrey Premier League. This made

er league for the Isthmian League, whilst the Combined Counties a much stronger
he Combined Counties League can at the bottom end of the league, arrange- force with a total of 42 member clubs and
Ttrace its existence back to 1922 when ments had been made to accept clubs from now
the Surrey Senior League was formed. The the Surrey Premier at the expense of the with two senior divisions.
present title was not adopted until 1979. The bottom club. Season 2006–07 saw a major restructur-
first champions in 1922–23 were Egham, The 1990s saw the Combined Counties- ing of the league with a number of new
with Carshalton Athletic as runners-up. League get stronger with the acceptance of clubs from the now-defunct Ryman’s sec-
Farnham United Breweries were cham- a number of sides from Isthmian and Spar- ond division being accepted and a number
pions twice and runners-up twice to Ep- tan leagues. Clubs have also been accepted of clubs being relegated from the league.
som Town between 1923–27. Camberley from the old Chiltonian League which no 2011–12 saw the first non-mainland side
& Yorktown 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 these clubs had previously won the Surrey
1939–46. Farnham United Breweries were Senior League championship at least once.
champions twice and runners-up twice to In 1968–69 a second division was formed
Epsom Town between 1923–27. Camberley which was known as Division One, with
& Yorktown were the first club to record a the original league becoming the Premier
hat-trick of championship wins between Division. As the majority of clubs forming
1930–33. The Second World War brought Division One were junior sides there was
the Surrey Senior League to a close be- no automatic promotion and relegation
tween 1939–46. After the war newcomers between the divisions. After three seasons
to league in 1946–47 included Chertsey Division One was disbanded and the league The Camberley & Yorktown team of 1904–05, one of the founders of the Surrey Senior League. Wiki
Town, Devas Institute, Lagonda Sports, continued as before. longer exists. The new millennium has seen join the league when Guernsey were elect-
who after several name changes became Early in the 1970’s Farnham Town and the league spreading it’s net further and ed to the 1st Division.
Petters Sports, Leatherhead and Worcester Farnborough Town joined the Spartan further with clubs from Oxon and Sussex Season 2018–19 witnessed Chertsey
Park. Leatherhead took the league by storm League. In an attempt to attract clubs joining the ranks. The Combined Counties Town becoming the first-ever CCL team to
winning the championship four times be- from outside the county, the Surrey Senior is certainly living up to its name. win the F.A. Vase at Wembley.
tween 1946–50. After finishing second in League was renamed the Home Counties For the 2002–03 season, AFC Wimble- Season 2019/20 saw the Jersey Bulls join-
1949–50 Banstead Athletic took over the League in 1978–79. However there were don joined the league. The new club, hav- ing the league.
role as most consistent club. They were objections to the new title and the cur- ing only been formed a month or two ear- Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the
champions for the next four seasons and rent title, Combined Counties League was lier put fresh life into the league with an 2019/20 season was abandoned, with no
never finished lower than second between adopted for the 1979–80 season. enthusiasm never seen before. Wherever teams either being promoted or relegated.
1949–59. In 1981–82 the league was split into East they played they set new club attendance
In the 1960s a number of sides switched and West sections, with Ash United beat- records bringing much needed finances to
to the Spartan League they included Mole- ing Malden Town in the play-off. Since every club.
sey, Chertsey Town, Addlestone, Hampton, 1982 the league has reverted back to one Season 2003–04 saw yet another develop-
Banstead Athletic and Feltham. Most of division. The Combined Counties league ment to the league with the amalgamation Cherry Red Records are the League's main sponsors