The Club
About Fernhurst FC
Discover our history, the progress we have made at the Club and our aims.
Founding
The club was formally founded in 1907 although in 1902 the West Sussex Gazette records that there was meeting the Red Lion to start the process of founding the club.
In 1903 another meeting took place and there is record of Fernhurst playing Haslemere Old Boys at Fernhurst, with Fernhurst winning 6 - 2.
It would appear that the club colours prior to 1907 were black with red bands although by 1907 the traditional green strip was in use.
Through the history of the club several family names recur from generation to generation, Lambert, White, Ford, West to name just 5. Inevitably some were related to one another through marriage. The club was a very local community club. Even now links to the past can be found within the club.
Walter Winterbottom
The reputation of Fernhurst FC during the late 1940's and early 1950's was such that the village used to have up to 200 supporters at matches. Folk from as far away as Worthing would ring to ask where Fernhurst were playing so that they could turn up and watch.
In fact the reputation was such that Walter Winterbottom, the manager of England between 1946 and 1962 visited Fernhurst in December 1951 to present the team and its supporters with a signed picture of the England team and a signed football that was auctioned off for charity.
New Pitch in 2013
John Mitchell OBE, a trustee of the Recreation Ground realised that the football club were playing very intermittently during the winter due to the condition of the pitch, for several weeks during December through February no home matches were played causing players and their families to drift away to other clubs and other activities. The state of the pitch was hindering the club.
With this in mind he and a few others determined to provide a pitch that could be played on both a Saturday and Sunday every weekend of the year, a pitch that would allow the club to survive and progress.
After a couple of false starts the necessary funds were found through donation, grants, fund raising events, etc. In 2013 the new pitch was played on by an ex-professional charity team and representatives of Fernhurst FC.
At around the same time a new committee was formed and junior football introduced on Saturday mornings. Two Saturday XI teams were promoted at the end of the 2014/15, the 1st X1 in 2018/19 and 2019/20 and now 7 junior teams compete in two junior leagues.
Abbotts constructed the new pitch and their website
details the project.
Aims & Ambitions
Our ambitions for this club, when we first started the juniors, has now exceeded our expectations. This side of the club is now entering its 10th year and we have over 150 children registered. We have 8 junior teams and they play in the South Surrey Youth League.
The reputation of Fernhurst FC during the late 1940's and early 1950's was such that the village used to have up to 200 supporters at matches. Folk from as far away as Worthing would ring to ask where Fernhurst were playing so that they could turn up and watch. In fact the reputation was such that Walter Winterbottom, the manager of England between 1946 and 1962 visited Fernhurst in December 1951 to present the team and its supporters with a signed picture of the England team and a signed football that was auctioned off for charity.
As with any club the members, the volunteers, the coaches and managers make it the club that it is and we are very lucky to have so many invaluable members on the team. Dave Thomas (Secretary and Treasurer)
currently looks after the Juniors club but we really need to find some willing members or supporters to take on roles. At the moment 1 person is managing all roles so we are in need of a Treasurer (less than 1 hour a month) a Kit & Equipment person (less than 1 hour a season) - Club Referee - qualified or unqualified (paid role)
We rely on membership fees to cover our day to day costs. In addition to these fees we try and raise sponsorship to cover some costs such as the maintenance of the pitch. We would again like to thank Hornbeam Construction for committing to help us with this continued maintenance expense and for becoming our main sponsor of the club.
The club is always interested in talking to companies that may be interested in supporting a village club like ourselves so please get in touch if you would like to know more.