Salesian School Chertsey is a school with a fine tradition of producing strong footballing sides right through the academic years, winning numerous District and County honours.
An Old Boys Football Club has been running since 1970, it was started by a small group of pupils leaving the school who wanted to carry on playing football together. They first played in the Woking & District League, and then joined The London Old Boys League in 1976.
The London Old Boys League (since 2002 amalgamated with the Southern Olympian League, and now called The Amateur Football Combination), is basically made up of similar clubs formed from past pupils of various schools in and around London. Some of them have been around for over 100 years, so we are one of the younger clubs. The League claims to be the biggest in Europe with over 270 teams from 60 odd clubs playing in 26 divisions.
We currently run two sides, although up until a couple of years ago we ran six. We cut it down because with players retiring and no decent recruitment policy in place, we were struggling to field six full strength teams.
The Club has always been reasonably successful, and until recently the 1st team were in the Premier division of the League, which is probably, along with University leagues, among the best standard of football you can play without being paid. We have had several players who have played at semi pro level, but prefer to play for us because whilst the standard is high, it’s not taken too seriously, and the social side of the Club is a big attraction. At the same time because the league is so large we can cater for players at all levels of ability - as long as there is someone willing to run a team.
We run the Club as a Club, and not separate teams. Each week the Committee meets to discuss the previous week’s games, and decide on selection for the following week. The Captains (starting from the 1st team down), take advice from their fellow captains and choose the best side on merit. Our aim over the next few years is to encourage more youngsters from the school particularly (but not exclusively) to join, so that us old’uns can move down a team or two, whilst helping a new generation to come through and enjoy the same craic that many of us have had for the past 10 to 20 years.
Our playing base is Imber Court – The Met Police ground in Molesey – facilities there are excellent, and the hospitality afterwards includes hot food for the opposition, and cold drinks are served aplenty amidst stories of 40 yard screamers and “we wuz robbed” excuses.
If you are interested in joining, please use the contact us page, or turn up at training and introduce yourself.
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