The profile of Chertsey has risen substantially in the football world due to the remarkable renaissance of its incumbent club over the past couple of years. Chertsey Town Football Club was formed in 1890 and mainly played their games inside Surrey, but now the club is known in a nationwide capacity.
This is primarily so after winning the FA Vase in May 2019 after overcoming clubs from Cornwall, Lancashire (twice), County Durham and six from the Home Counties. The final took place at Wembley Stadium where the prestigious silverware was secured with an extra time win over North Kent’s Cray Valley PM. Promotion from the ninth tier of English football, to the eighth, was also won by a big margin around the same time.
This recent success has set up a vibrant force that is looking to take the club further, something that the population has taken to their hearts as attendances at the Alwyns Lane ground have increased eight-fold to a point that it is the best supported team in their league.
The club’s home was donated by Sir Edward Stern, a then resident of Fan Court in Lyne. Previously, a nomadic life existed with games being played either behind Willow Walk, adjacent to Free Prae Road or just off Pyrcroft Road. Prime milestones came with the 1926 acquisition of their ground, elevation to a higher status in 1946, a disastrous excursion into the professional game in 1964, its highest level of league football in the early 1990s, then to drop back, and the establishment of the present breath-taking regime in 2018.
The club is run by volunteer labour. It takes a good dozen tkeep wheels in motion on match days. Behind the scenes tasks though, make it a seven days a week concern, especially now combating Covid-19 considerations.
Fingers are crossed at the club that games will continue well into the current season. A dormant return is possible but will frustrate its proud club members who continually wish to show off the extensive improvements of its facilities, including a refurbished clubhouse; the best presented social facility in a football club setting.
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