The
Football
Association
Southern
Amateur
League
Amateur
Football
Alliance
Surrey
County
FA
Surrey
Youth & U21
League
|
|
The Football Association |
Southern Amateur League |
Amateur Football Alliance |
Surrey County FA |
Surrey Youth & U21 League |
|
SAL Division 2 |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
|
|
18 |
9 |
3 |
6 |
38 |
32 |
21 |
4th |
|
President: |
AJM Causer |
|
Hon. Secretary: |
Frank Sutherland |
|
Hon. Treasurer: |
Ken Shersby |
|
Team Secretary: |
Bill Bailey |
|
Match Secretary: |
Eric Alexander |
|
Magazine Editor: |
Tom Davies |
|
Bar Manager: |
AA Barnes |
|
Publicity Secretary: |
Horry Walter |
|
1st XI Captain: |
Maurice Watts |
|
2nd XI Captain: |
Chris Woods |
|
"A" XI Captain: |
LR Cook |
|
"B" XI Captain |
Bill Bailey |
After an 8 year hiatus, the Carshalton Football Club reconvened after the Second World War with a meeting on 6th March 1947 in the Dukes Head in Wallington. Just as in 1919, the Club was reformed by a small band of enthusiasts. Some things were easier this time round though. The ground was immediately available and the SAL had recommenced two years previously. Graham Swales had found that regrettably he was unable to find the time to continue as the Hon. Secretary. The main burdens of reorganising the Club therefore rested on the shoulders of Frank Sutherland.
Below is the opening address from Frank Sutherland in September 1947, which captures perfectly the mood of the time.
A hearty welcome is extended to all new members. May they enjoy many seasons with us and be long embued with the real "Car" spirit.
To all members (and particularly those old members who have again enrolled as Playing Members) I advise, with regret, that a weekly "Club News" cannot be published. Selections will be advised by individual Post Card arranged by the Selection Committee. I hope, however, to publish a News Sheet from time to time on the Club Notice Board.
This is our first Post War resumed Season. It may be some weeks before Members are settled into a more or less regular position. This will be the Selection Committee’s job and will not be a light task.
TRIAL GAMES will be held on the evenings of Tuesday the 23rd and Thursday the 25th instant, K.O. 6pm. By kind permission of the B.O.A.C. Sports Club these will take place on the B.O.A.C (Croydon Airways) Ground, directions to which are as follows:-
From Purley: Banstead Road; Plough Lane to Forresters Drive; entrance to Ground right hand side Plough Lane opposite Forresters Drive (20 minutes walk from Purley main road traffic lights).
From Wallington: 234 Bus from Bridle Road. Walk to end of Bridle Road, turn left into Plough Lane and then directions as above.
Playing Members - please attend on at least one of these evenings. Club uniform to be worn if in possession; otherwise white shirts.
A copy of the Fixture Card is forwarded herewith. In Cup Competitions we have been drawn as follows:-
AFA Senior Cup 4th October v Old Quintinians (Home)
AFA Junior Cup 11th October v Reigate Priory Res. (Away)
AFA Minor Cup Bye in First Round
County Divisional Senior and Junior - Byes in First RoundClub uniform is giving the Committee rather a head-ache. Playing members not in possession of a Club shirt are well advised to improvise: An Army shirt, minus sleeves and collar dyed myrtle green, is a practicable and very successful solution. Ex-Playing Members - your Club shirt - please send it to Bill Bailey.
To New Members, I say in all earnestness the Club has tradition and a great reputation for clean hard play and as hosts to our visiting teams. Support your skipper and be a 100 per cent Club Member
Club subscriptions are due now and should be forwarded to the Hon. Treasurer.
From the President, the General Committee and All Officers - A Happy and Successful Season
"UP CAR"
F.G. SUTHERLAND
Hon. General Secretary.
In addition to the active members, it cannot be stressed enough just how much the Club relied on the generosity of the surviving Vice Presidents and Honorary Club members at this time. Without them it would not have been possible to resurrect the Club after the ravages of war. Ground negotiations with Beddington Cricket Club became fairly protracted, but by June 1948 a formal 10 year lease had been agreed. Considerable restoration work was carried out on the rear pavilion during the summer in an effort to attract new members. With a week to go before the Club’s opening league game of the season, there were barely enough players to field the 4 sides to which it was committed. However, as membership grew to reach the 60 mark, they were able to field a 5th XI midway through the season. With league restructuring proposals being implemented the following season, the 1st XI had to finish in the top 5 to remain in Division 2 of the SAL. Remarkably they succeeded, despite all the problems associated with reforming.
The success of the 1st XI was not matched by the lower sides. In finishing 6th in Division 2 the Reserves were "relegated" to Division 3. With the lack of a settled side, both the "A" and "B" teams struggled in the Nemean League. Ironically, after much success in the Nemean League in previous years, it was at this time that the Club resigned from the League in favour of placing the "A" & "B" sides in the newly formed SAL Junior Sections.
The Club News also survived thanks to the hard work and editorial skills of Tom Davies and the dedication of Bill Power, who handled distribution. A couple of letters were produced early in the season, but the Club News surfaced in its normal guise on 11th November 1947. The end of season reports were full of optimism and reflected a genuine atmosphere of collective Club spirit.