Page 3 - Raynes Park Vale v Blackfield & Langley (FA Vase)

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 - t's a pretty special day today here at Grand
Raynes Park FC RAYNES PARK VALE FC IDrive! Into the 2nd Round proper of the FA

Grand Drive Vase - uncharted territory for Raynes Park
Raynes Park FC used to be based at Vale for some years. It's always good to see an
Taunton Avenue, SW20 at the Raynes Raynes Park extended cup run but when it comes hot on
Park Recreation Group until the 1995/96 Greater London the heels of a decent unbeaten league cam-
merger. Raynes Park FC was originally SW20 9DZ paign it really ramps up the excitement here
the Southern Railways Football Section at The Vale!
(formed 1928) and were known as STAFF DIRECTORY Instigated the brawl
Southern Railway until they changed Chairman: John Dalton
name to Raynes Park FC in 1964. The Secretary: Paul Armour However, with that in mind it would be impossi-
Southern Railway Team was a victim of Treasurer: Simon Maynard ble to ignore the events of last week. This is not the platform to
the notorious 1963 Beeching spending General Manager: Marc Skinner judge what happened from a disciplinary perspective or to pass
cuts, a national review into modernising Manager: Josh Gallagher any judgement on the refereeing team who did a magnificent job
the UK's railways. Southern Railways in difficult circumstances. It became clear from early in the game
1950's home kit was Gold and Green Programme Editor: Mark Ferrari that there was a concerted and deliberate attempt by some - not
quarters, the company colours. Raynes all - Croydon players to disrupt the flow of play with dangerous
Park FC home shirt colours were Red TODAY'S COVER
Josh Stepney & Eoin Fraser tackles, leading with elbows when contesting corners and leaping
and Black stripes (similar to AC Milan). into and onto Vale players under the guise of contesting midfield
Another home kit was light blue shirts
and white shorts. Raynes Park FC ran high-balls. This is not new and we have seen opposition teams
five senior teams on Saturdays. The 1st adopting some novel tactics to try to tame a Raynes Park team
and 2nd XI's played in the Surrey Premier that are, increasingly, getting a reputation as one that is very hard
League. The 3rd team played in the to beat. The events that instigated the brawl that, in turn, gave
Surrey South Eastern Combination the referee no option but to abandon the game are still unclear. It
while the 4ths and 5ths played in would appear that, in the wake of a challenge of
the Kingston and District League. some kind, a Vale player found themselves on
They also ran an over 35's team the ground, in touch whereupon a Croydon
and youth teams aged 14 to 18. player followed the sprawling Vale player
into touch and planted his studs, with
Source: Former RPV FC President, Robert intent, in the face of the home play-
Hallett Senior, who was instrumental in er. What followed was, frankly,
the formation of both the Rayes Park and
Raynes Park Vale football clubs. Continued...