Page 12 - Raynes Park Vale v Badshot Lea
P. 12
TODAY'S VISITORS Division at the end of the 2017/18
T
VISIT
ORS
ODA
S
'
Y
BADSHOT LEA duties and after an extensive search
season. Sadly, Mark had to resign his
and interview process, we appointed
the successful Keith Hills, from fellow
Early history suggests that the tried to block Premier Division team, Knaphill to
lead us back into the Premier Division
village football club was formed in the move. It for season 2018/19.
1904, after a meeting at the local was only the Sadly, Mark had to resign
village hall. They initially played determina- In December 2018 we appointed a
friendly matches before deciding tion of the management team of Gav Smith/
that they affiliate to the Surrey committee Dave Ford as Joint Manager’s along
County Football Association in and the full with Paul Harkness as coach and Dan
1907. They began life in the junior backing of The Bailey as assistant. They galvanised
leagues before gradually progressing Hellenic League that eventually saw the squad and finished in an excellent
through the leagues. The most re- us given the green light along with 9th place. season. Sadly, Mark had to
cent history shows the Lea playing in London APSA (Essex Senior League) resign his duties and after an exten-
the Aldershot leagues and progress- and Sporting Bengal (Kent League). In sive search and interview process, we
ing through the various divisions, our first season we took time to adjust appointed the successful Keith Hills,
eventually obtaining promotion to Senior Football eventually finishing from fellow Premier Division team,
to the Surrey Intermediate League 4th from bottom under the guidance Knaphill to lead us back into the Pre-
Western in 1978. of manager Maurice Gregory. mier Division for season 2018/19.
Progress through the three divisions Youth Team joined the Club
saw the Lea eventually promoted to In 1997 the first Youth Team joined
the Surrey Premier League in 1986. the Club and this saw the beginning
This was for one year only as we of the very successful Youth and Colts
obtained the dubious distinction section of the Club. We increased
of being relegated with the highest from one team to over 20 and were
points total ever achieved by a side given extra facility to accommodate
being relegated. this success.
Not without its problems Michael Charles resigned
Season 1988 saw us again in the For season 2017/18 we started a
Surrey Intermediate League Western. groundshare arrangement at Cam-
The ensuing years saw the ups and berley Town whilst our new ground is
downs that one experiences until under construction. In October 2017,
season 2002/03 which saw eventual Michael Charles resigned and we
promotion to Senior Football via The turned to ex-manager Mark Thomas
Hellenic League. This was not without who successfully led us to immedi-
its problems as The FA at Soho Square ate promotion back to the Premier
