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Walton & Hersham F.C. are an English football club who are currently spending the 2006-7 season in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Nicknamed the Swans, they play at Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. The club play in an all-red home kit and have an average attendance of around 200. [1]
[edit] History
[edit] Early Days
Walton F.C. was formed in 1895, and in 1945, following World War II, amalgamated with Hersham F.C. to form Walton & Hersham F.C. The club joined the Corinthian League, winning it first in the 1946-7 season and then again the following two seasons. They were elected to the Athenian League in 1950 and finished runners-up in their first season.
A period of mid-table football followed until the 1967 appointment of Allen Batsford as manager heralded a new era of success. The Athenian League title was secured in 1969, followed by two runners-up spots and two successive visits to the FA Cup First Round.
[edit] Isthmian League to Present Day
The club were finally elected to the Isthmian League in 1971 and they secured a third place finish in their first season. Further success followed in 1973 when the club won the penultimate FA Amateur Cup final, defeating Slough Town at Wembley Stadium. The club set a unique record by winning the competition without conceding a goal. With players including Dave Bassett becoming regulars in the England Amateur International team, the Swans became recognized as one of the strongest non-league teams in the country. A 4-0 FA Cup First Round replay over Brian Clough's Brighton & Hove Albion underlined the power of the side at the time. The glory days ended however in 1975 when Batsford left to manage Wimbledon and took most of the best players with him. Despite briefly having Stanley Matthews as President, the club endured a lean period throughout the 1980s and dropped out of the top level of the Isthmian League.
They returned to the Isthmian top flight in 1994, although relegation followed in 1996. They were promoted again the following year, although relegation followed in 2000. After a spell in the Isthmian League First Division the club appointed long-serving player Alan Dowson as manager and he led them to a successful 2004-5 season, with promotion secured as runners-up.
After the resignation of Alan Dowson in October 2006, former Gillingham first team coach Bobby Paterson took over after a long search for a new manager. An assistant manager was appointed a few weeks later, Les Cleevely - the former Carshalton Athletic player/assistant manager where he made over 500 appearances for them. Paterson's stay didn't last long after a run of poor results he had his contract terminated. The assistant manager Les Cleevely took over with his assistant Jimmy Bolton. At the current date March 30 2007 Cleevely and his team have taken 13 points out of six games and are currently looking to stay in the Division
[edit] Current squad
As at March 30, 2007:
| No. |
|
Position |
Player |
| - |
 |
GK |
James Russell (on loan from Chelsea) |
| - |
|
GK |
Robert Webb |
| - |
|
DF |
Devon Williams |
| - |
|
DF |
Kieron Murphy (on loan from MK Dons) |
| - |
|
DF |
Ashley Dumas |
| - |
|
DF |
Will Jenkins |
| - |
|
DF |
Martin Dunne |
| - |
|
DF |
Sam Butler |
| - |
|
DF |
Gavin Cartwright |
| - |
|
DF |
Liam Wright |
| - |
|
MF |
Ohran Stewart |
| - |
|
MF |
Byron Brown |
| - |
|
MF |
Daniel Lodge |
| - |
|
MF |
Will Robinson |
| - |
|
MF |
Bobby Hooper |
|
|
| No. |
|
Position |
Player |
| - |
|
MF |
Wayne Robbins |
| - |
|
MF |
Delando |
| - |
|
MF |
Stuart Booth |
| - |
|
MF |
Warren Waugh |
| - |
|
MF |
Tamba Ngongou |
| - |
|
MF |
Lamin Ojo |
| - |
|
MF |
Louis Clark |
| - |
|
MF |
Rob George |
| - |
|
FW |
Gibrilla Karbo |
| - |
 |
FW |
Musa Jalloh |
| - |
|
FW |
Lawrence Yiga |
| - |
|
FW |
Chris Kiganda |
| - |
|
FW |
Freedom Pigott |
| - |
|
FW |
Ed Asafu-Adjaye |
| - |
|
FW |
Sam Baldock (on loan from MK Dons) |
|
[edit] Achievements
- Southern Combination Cup:
- Winners (6): 1949-50, 1982-83, 1988-89, 1992-93, 1999-2000, 2000-01
- Premier Midweek Floodlit League:
- Winners (3): 1967-68, 1968-69, 1970-71
- John Livey Memorial Trophy:
- Winners (3): 1991-92, 1993-94, 1996-97
[edit] References
[edit] External links
