Redhill F.C.
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| Full name | Redhill Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Lobsters or Reds | ||
| Founded | 1894 | ||
| Ground | Kiln Brow, Three Arch Road Redhill (Capacity: 2,000) |
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| Chairman | Andy Wheeler | ||
| Manager | Dean Forbes | ||
| League | Sussex County League Division One |
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| 2008–09 | Sussex County League Division One, 8th |
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Redhill F.C. is a football club based in Redhill, Surrey, England.
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[edit] Club history
[edit] The beginning
The club was formed 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 in the South Suburban West League in 1910-11, before becoming South Suburban Champions in the 1911-12 season.
Redhill F.C. became London League members from 1921 to 1923, and finished runners up in their division. In 1923 they joined the Athenian League.
[edit] 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 and 1927–28. However, they also finished bottom of the league on several occasions: 1945–46, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1964–65 and 1977–78.
During their time in the Athenian league, the club enjoyed its best performance in the FA Cup. They reached the First Round proper for the 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.
[edit] 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 Sports Ground 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 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 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.
[edit] Into the 21st century
After several years struggling at the wrong end of the table and looking to consolidate in the 1st Division of the Sussex League, the club signalled their intention to move on and begin a journey that will hopefully include promotion to the Isthmian League. In July 2007, non-league legend Tommy Sampson was appointed manager with former Kingstonian and Bromley Manager Stuart McIntyre becoming 1st Team coach. The club has since then been very unlucky with its managerial teams. Sampson unfortunately suffered a stroke in December 2007 and Stuart McIntyre took over first team affairs. 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, however, in October 2008, McIntyre decided to step down and take on a less demanding role. The club appointed former Brighton & Hove Albion player, John Crumplin as manager, however after only half a season in the job, Crumplin walked out of the club to take the vacant position at Walton & Hersham. After two weeks of intensive interviews by the Redhill FC Committee, it was announced that former Redhill, Northampton Town and Gravesend & Northfleet player Dean Forbes would take over as 1st team manager in what would be Forbes first managerial role.
[edit] The future
With the committee increasing for the 2009–10 season, the club are looking to continue with its development both on and off the pitch. The social club will soon benefit from an outside decking area and various other initiatives such as car boot sales and other commercial activities are being considered or implemented to help the club solidify its status and go forward. The club hopes to announce a new management structure for the 1st Team, Reserves and Youth Team in the very near future.
[edit] Nickname
Traditionally, Redhill were known as the Reds, however they acquired the nickname "The Lobsters" in 1994. 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. There is however another myth as to the name, or possibly the inspiration for the competition winners choice of name. As the club historically played in Red and White, in years gone by when shirt manufacturing was not as it is today, the colours would bleed iogether and the shirt would become a red-pink-ish lobster colour.
[edit] Stadium
One of a handful of Sussex County League clubs actually located in Surrey, Redhill’s Kiln Brow ground is situated next to the A23 near the East Surrey Hospital. The ground has undergone a complete transformation within the last few years. 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 club also has portable buildings that are used for the tea bar, the club shop and various storage areas.
In February 2003 work was completed on a smart new changing room block, and a further significant improvement to the overall look of Kiln Brow was the addition of new perimeter fencing around the pitch during the 2004–05 season. A small undercover standing area is situated in the corner of the south facing end of the ground.
The club's 162 seater stand, named after the late Alan Thurlbeck (former chairman), was completed on 28 May 2008. Work on a turnstile building and an outside toilet block finished in mid-2009.
[edit] Club shop
In the same year that the club moved to Kiln Brow, 1984, a club shop was started by supporters of the club.The first was from a back of a car, and then to a small portable building. Next up two diffrent portable building untill the Supporters brought two building one for the Club Shop and one for the Museum. Check out the web site below for items available. All items can be seen on line and posted to you.
[edit] Directions
From North or South - Travel on the A23 (London to Brighton road). Follow signs for Redhill then East Surrey Hospital. Turn right (coming from south) or Left (coming from North) into Three Arch Road at large junction, with traffic lights (this is also the hospital turning) and ground is about 100 yards on the left. If you pass under the bridge, you have gone too far. There is ample parking within the grounds. Nearest railway station: Earlswood (approx 15–20 mins walk) has a limited service only. Alternative station is Redhill (3 miles).
[edit] External links
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Sussex County Football League Division One 2009-10
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Arundel | Chichester City United | Crawley Down | Crowborough Athletic | Eastbourne United Association | East Grinstead Town | |
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Sussex County Football League Reserve East 2008/09
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