Redhill F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Redhill


fullname = Redhill Football Club
nickname = The Lobsters or Reds
founded = 1894
ground = Kiln Brow, Redhill
capacity = 2,000
chairman = Andy Wheeler
manager = Stuart McIntyre
league = Sussex County League
Division One
season = 2007–08
position = Sussex County League
Division One, 8th
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Redhill F.C. is a football club based in Redhill, England.

Club History

The Beginning

The club was established in 1894. Redhill only played friendly matches for their first four seasons but in the 1898/99 season they competed in the South Suburban League finishing 6th. Then followed another three seasons of friendlies before they were admitted to the East & West Surrey League, which they won in their first season. Another two seasons of only competing in friendlies followed between 1904 and 1906.

Redhill were accepted in to the South Eastern Division Two in 1906 and played in this division for three seasons, finishing fourth in 1908-09. They also finished 2nd in the Mid Surrey League during the same season. Following that they were 3rd in the Spartan League in 1909/10 and 3rd South Suburban West League in 1910/11, before becoming South Suburban Champions in the 1911-1912 season.

Redhill F.C. became London League members from 1921 until 1923, and finished runners up in their division. In 1923 they joined the Athenian League.

The Athenian League Era

Redhill spent many years in the old Athenian league with such clubs as Barnet, Bromley, Sutton United and Grays Athletic. Fortunes were very mixed over the years, with Championships in 1924/25 and 1983/84. Runners-up in 1923/24, 1925/26 & 1927/28. However, they also finished bottom of the league on several occasions: 1945/46, 1952/53, 1958/59, 1962/63, 1964/65 & 1977/78.

During their time in the Athenian league, the club enjoyed it's best performance in the FA Cup. They reached the First Round proper for the first and only time in 1957 and took several thousand fans with them to Division Three (South) leaders Norwich City. Sadly they lost 6-1 but the Redhill team won great praise for a brave performance in the national press. A copy of the match day programme and an admission ticket is on display in the Clubhouse, along with other historic photographs. Crowds at the old Memorial Ground, in the centre of the town would often be close to the 4,000 mark and the main road outside the ground would be closed off for half an hour at the final whistle, such was the volume of people vacating the ground.

Life After Athenian

They won the last ever Athenian League championship in 1983-84 and were due to gain promotion. However, after being given notice to vacate their Memerial Park Stadium in the center of the town, they were moved to Kiln Brow situated about 2 miles to the south of the town. Without the required facilities, the club actually moved down the pyramid into the London Spartan League. They joined the Sussex County Football League Division One at the start of the 1987-88 season after resigning from the London Spartan League. This move sideways, effectively moved them up a place in the pyramid. They were relegated to Sussex County Football League Division Two after two seasons, but in 1996/97 won promotion to Division One again by finishing third. They finished fifth in their first season back in Division One, yet all subsequent positions have hovered around mid-table.

The Current Era 2007-

In July 2007, non-league legend Tommy Sampson (who won the last old Wembley FA Vase final with Deal Town) was appointed manager with former Kingstonian and Bromley Manager Stuart McIntyre becoming 1st Team coach.Half way through the season, Tommy unfortunately suffered a stroke and Stuart McIntyre took over first team affairs with the help of Jeremy Jones.Despite an uncertain period early in 2008. The management turned the team around and finished the season with a strong 8th place in the league. The team also reached the semi finals of the Sussex RUR Cup and the Surrey Senior Cup.In August 2008, Tommy Sampson announced his retirement from Football and Stuart McIntyre was confirmed as the new Redhill Manager on a permanent basis.

The Nickname

Traditionally, Redhill were known as the Reds, however they acquired the nickname "The Lobsters" in 1994. Indeed a large toy lobster named 'Clawdius' has been present at many home league games. The source of this nickname is actually a queer competition, where fans were asked to pick a nickname other than 'the reds' for the club, and a local woman won the vote, naming him Clawdius the lobster.

Description of ground

One of three County League clubs actually located in Surrey Redhill’s Kiln Brow ground,is hemmed in between the A23 and London to South Coast railway line; near the East Surrey Hospital. Progress is slowly being made with regards its transformation. In 1984, ironically just as the club had won the last ever Athenian League championship, Redhill were given notice to vacate their premises at the Memorial Ground in the middle of town' despite owning the ground (donated by the people of Redhill in perpatuity) and it was only through the generosity of local businessman Eric Pratt that the club was able to survive in senior football, enabling them to move to their current home at Kiln Brow.

The buildings that originally housed the Visitor & Reception Centre during the construction of Reading's Madejski Stadium is now the Clubhouse and function hall. The only old buildings that remain are the portable buildings housing the tea bar; a very well-stocked club shop selling all sorts of paraphernalia, some of which has to be seen to be believed; and a Museum containing a great array of Redhill artifacts. With regards the latter, we must be grateful for the hoarding mentality that has resulted in the preservation of many items that might have otherwise been disposed of.In February 2003 work was completed on a smart new changing room block, and a further significant improvement to the overall look of the Kiln Brow was the addition of new perimeter fencing during the 2004/05 season. There are two uPVC dugouts on the opposite side of the pitch.A small stand situated next to the near corner flag behind the near goal, and that dated from soon after the move to Kiln Brow in 1984 has now been demolished and a replacement erected in the same place. This meant that planning permission was not required but there is the intention of extending this further along behind the goal. The clubs 162 seater stand, named after the late Alan Thurlbeck (former chairman), was completed on May 28th 2008. Work on a turnstile building and an outside toilet block is due to commence mid to late 2008.

The Club Shop

In the same year that the club moved to Kiln Brow, 1984, The Redhill FC Club Shop was started. It is now housed in a large building and sells many different articles from replica shirts to badges. Sponsored by Surrey Soccer. It also sells League and Non League Programmes. The Club also has its own museum run by the Supporters of the Club.

Directions

Travel north on the A23. Follow signs for East Surrey Hospital. Turn right into Three Arch Road at large junction, and ground is about 100 yards on the right. Nearest railway station: Earlswood (approx 15-20 mins walk) has a limited service only. Alternative station is Redhill (3 miles).

External links

Official Website
*http://www.redhillfc-online.co.uk

Juniors Website
*http://www.redhilljuniorsfc.co.uk/

Supporters Sites
*http://www.redhillfc.co.uk
*http://www.redhillfcgallery.fotopic.net/
*http://www.youtube.com/user/REDHILLFC